Dog shooter to pay $4,000 restitution

An Osoyoos man has to pay restitution, in addition to other conditions, after being found guilty of animal cruelty charges.

George Cimbala shot his neighbour's dog in the nose with a 12-gauge shotgun during an incident on his property two years ago.

During the trial, Cimbala said the dog, a St. Bernard, did not attack him, it only barked at him.

He said that when he saw the dog on his property he assumed it had killed some of his chickens which is why he shot it with bird shot. The dog survived the incident.

The shot was witnessed by the dog's owner.

Cimbala claimed he was acting within his rights to protect his livestock, but the definition of livestock does not include chickens.

The judge decided there was no evidence the dog had killed the chickens.

Cimbala has been found guilty of animal cruelty charges and has been given a 30-day conditional sentence and six months probation.

He must also pay $4,000 in restitution.