LEE COUNTY, Fla. - A man has been convicted of aggravated animal cruelty, aggravated assault and improper exhibition of a firearm after shooting a dog and threatening its owners with a gun.
Ricky Eugene Richey was convicted after a two day trial in lee County.
In October 2016, Richey and his cousin were in Richey's North Fort Myers home drinking when their dogs began fighting, the state's attorney office said. The men separated the dogs and ended the fight, but Richey walked into his home, returned outside with a revolver and shot his cousin's dog in the back.
The dog - Bodee - is a pitbull mix. He survived the attack.
After shooting Bodee, investigators said Richey pointed the gun at his cousin who ran away and called 911. The cousin's girlfriend found the injured dog and tried to comfort him, but Richey dragged her outside and pointed the gun at her head.
She was able to grab the gun from him and run away, investigators said.
Richey faces up to 21 years in prison. He will be sentenced April 3.
