Adorable Pomeranian meets horrific fate after wandering into neighbor's yard

A heartless Tennessee neighbor has been arrested for fatally shooting a Pomeranian with a pellet gun after the adorable pup wandered into his backyard.

Riki Warren and her family were left devastated after their dog, Moose, escaped from their home in Gallatin on Sunday and roamed into a neighbor's backyard, only to become a target.

Neighbor William Pate, 35, claimed he shot the dog to protect his three-year-old daughter, but later admitted that the pint-sized pet had never been aggressive.

Warren told a Sumner County deputy that around 11.30am her daughter had yelled that Moose had escaped, and when she went outside to find him, she heard the dog crying.

Warren said she saw the dog collapse in front of a home two doors down before running to grab Moose and bring him back inside, reported WKRN .

An affidavit said that Warren's husband checked the dog over when he returned from work and found the entrance of the gunshot on the dog's back leg.

The couple took the dog to an emergency veterinarian, where they were told the animal had internal bleeding and broken ribs. With no exit would, the dog was scheduled for removal surgery on November 4 but, according to court documents, they were told the pet may not survive the night.

Warren said that the dog had escaped before and gone to Pate's house and that he had sent her hostile messages afterward over social media, WKRN reported.

Warren said there had been no other incidents of the dog escaping from the house and added that Moose had never been aggressive with anyone.

She messaged Pate asking if he knew what happened to the dog, but he told her he wasn't home and had no idea.

Another neighbor, however, messaged Warren on Facebook saying that she noticed the dog running from the side of Pate's home and whimpering. According to the affidavit, the neighbor had seen Pate outside of his home and had noticed his garage door had been open, indicating he had been home all day, WKRN reported.

According to court documents, Pate had been asked by the deputy for his side of the story.

'Mr. Pate advised me in the beginning that he was unsure on what had happened to the dog. Mr. Pate stated he believed it happened a neighborhood over. I explained to Mr. Pate with the size of the dog, and the round that the animal was hit with, it was impossible for the dog to make it that far with a severe injury.'

Pate had also told the deputy he had been in and out of the house, contradicting what he had told Warren. Pate explained to the deputy that a Facebook post about Moose accused him of shooting the dog.

'I advised Mr. Pate that I had no concern over a Facebook post, and advised Mr. Pate he had to have seen something. Mr. Pate then stated "Do I want the dog shot? Yes"' the deputy said.

Pate then admitted to shooting the dog, which he said was constantly on his property, to protect his daughter.

The neighbor, who had seen the dog run from Pate's yard, said they had never seen the girl in the yard.

Warren said the dog had never been violent or aggressive, and no 'animal at large' calls had ever been made concerning Moose.

'He loved children and everyone,' Warren said. 'He was a playful, spunky dog.'

A vigil to remember Moose was held on Thursday, Warren wrote on the Facebook: 'For anyone that has a pup come support my girls bring your dog on a leash for a vigil for Moose or just come and support our sweet girls.'

Warren had also posted a collection of photos in a tribute to Moose: 'My poor sweet furball is gone. I'm glad he isn't suffering anymore but this shouldn't have happened! Please pray for my girls they are terrified to be home or even go home and keep crying that they want to move!'

A friend commented and said: When I watched him that one time he was just so sweet and so friendly and wouldn't hurt a fly. I can't believe this happened. Praying for you guys.'

Pate was arrested for aggravated animal cruelty with a pre-trial bond of $2,000.

He has since been released from jail and is set for a court hearing on November 19.