Deputies with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division on March 1 responded to the area of 319 Robin Road in the Axton community after receiving a report that a dog had been shot.
Deputies arrived within minutes and made contact with the complainant, who advised that her pet Chihuahua had been struck by gunfire. She reported hearing two gunshots from a neighboring residence while she was inside her home. When she went outside to determine what had happened, she discovered that her dog had been shot. Deputies observed multiple blood trails and an apparent gunshot wound to the groin/testicular area of the dog. The companion animal was immediately transported to an emergency veterinary clinic for treatment of the injuries sustained.
The complainant identified her neighbor as Brad Flood. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Flood had left the area before law enforcement’s arrival. Deputies later contacted Flood by telephone, and he returned to his home to speak with deputies on scene.
Flood allegedly stated that his neighbor’s dog was in his backyard along with several other dogs, barking and refusing to leave. He alleged he went inside his residence, retrieved a firearm, and returned outside, where he observed the dogs still in his yard, continuing to bark and moving farther onto his property.
Flood allegedly admitted that he fired one shot in their direction in an attempt to scare them away but stated that he did not believe he struck any of the animals.
A 9mm handgun was recovered at the scene and was found to be missing two rounds from the magazine, consistent with the complainant’s account of two shots being fired. Based on physical evidence, witness statements, and the significant gunshot wound sustained by the dog, Brad Lamont Flood, 48, was charged with maiming of a companion animal, and animal cruelty.
He was held at the Henry County Adult Detention Center on a $1,000 secured bond.
Sheriff Wayne Davis emphasized that community safety is his highest priority – and that commitment includes the protection of companion animals. In Virginia, a person may not shoot a companion animal merely because it is on their property. There are specific legal standards governing the use of force against animals, and those standards must be followed.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at (276) 638-8751 or Crimestoppers at 63-CRIME (632-7463). The Crimestoppers program offers rewards of up to $2,500 for information related to criminal activity. The nature of the crime and the substance of the information provided determine the amount of any reward paid.
