MADISONVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — A Monroe County man accused of shooting and killing a family’s dog is now the subject of a bench warrant after failing to appear for a scheduled court hearing.
According to court officials, 39-year-old Nicholas Scott Cook did not appear for his arraignment on Election Day in Monroe County. The hearing was scheduled so Cook could formally hear the charge against him after being accused of knowingly killing an animal.
As a result of his failure to appear, the court has issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
The charge stems from an incident on Oct. 22 involving a dog named Briar, a pet belonging to the Watkins family of Madisonville.
Following the shooting, family members said the loss has been devastating, particularly for their young daughter, who considered Briar her constant companion.
“Briar was our six-year-old daughter’s beloved companion. Our daughter was outside when this happened, and the experience has been devastating for our family,” Sydni and Tyler Watkins previously said in a statement.
According to court records, investigators allege Cook shot the dog three times.
During the investigation, Cook reportedly told authorities he had experienced problems with neighborhood dogs chasing his chickens in the past. However, investigators said video evidence reviewed during the case did not support claims that the dog posed a threat to poultry at the time of the shooting.
According to the warrant, investigators observed video showing the dog standing in Cook’s yard licking an empty silver pan with no chickens nearby before a gunshot was heard and the animal ran back toward its property.
The case has drawn significant attention in Monroe County, with the Watkins family calling for accountability and expressing concerns about the shooting occurring near their home and children.
Cook remains charged with knowingly killing an animal. The case is expected to proceed once he is taken into custody or appears before the court.
