A Bridgeport Township man is claiming his family pet was shot after wandering into a neighbor’s yard last month.

The chocolate Labrador retriever named Babe survived the shooting after limping back to his own yard, covered in blood.

Babe is back with his family for the first time since having emergency surgery and now the alleged shooter is facing charges.

Babe's owner, John Steele, admits the animal roams freely around his 30-acre property -- sometimes wandering into his neighbor’s yard.

Steele said Babe had apparently walked into the neighbor’s yard, started to defecate on his property and was shot by the man.

The wounded dog managed to return to his owner’s house.

According to Steele, his young daughters were very frightened after seeing their pet bleeding on their front porch.

Police were called to the scene and filed a report after interviewing the neighbor and collecting his firearms.

Officers said the round used to shoot the animal was not very powerful and was used so that the dog would not die instantly, but bleed out over a long period of time.

The local prosecutor has sent the case back to authorities for further investigation.

Steele said Babe should fully recuperate after his surgery.

Michigan recently passed an animal cruelty law and this case could be the first taken to court under its guise.

Below are photos taken by Steele of the dog and may be graphic in nature

source: wnem.com

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