Dog shooter says he's sorry

An Osoyoos chicken farmer at the centre of a storm of controversy is feeling repentant after shooting a neighbour's dog.

George Cimbala shot his neighbour's St. Bernard last week -- claiming it was killing his chickens.

The dog, named Pepper, was shot in the face after wandering onto Cimbala's property. Pepper's owner, Teya Coty, witnessed the shooting but insists that her dog was not killing any chickens.

"I'm adamant that Pepper is innocent and that the feathers were from a previous attack from another animal. The vet has confirmed that there is no evidence of Pepper consuming a chicken."

Cimbala claims to have lost more than 100 chickens in the past year to prey, including dogs. He says he had no choice because he was under attack.

"I told the dog to go home and it began barking at me. I got scared and went to get my shotgun. Mrs. Coty showed up and I told her to get her dog and that's when it attacked me, so I shot it. I did it for my protection."

Cimbala, who admits to shooting another dog the week prior because it was killing his chickens, admits that he feels bad about what happened.

"I'm feeling very bad for the dog and its family. I like animals but if they're killing my chickens, I have to protect them."

Cimbala says he has the legal right to shoot and kill animals that threaten his livestock, but Coty says Cimbala is abusing that right.

"Right now, he feels like he's got a licence to kill and it is a bigger problem than just Pepper. He's using this gun at his discretion regardless of whether or not there's provable evidence," says Coty.

She says Pepper is still listed in critical condition.

"The vet has confirmed that it was bird shot and it went through her nose, shattered her pallet and the material has lodged in her skull and behind her eyes. She's not out of the woods by any means."

Cimbala, meantime, says he's receiving abusive phone calls since the incident.