Dog walking on leash shot dead by neighbor

A Margate man has been arrested after he allegedly shot and killed a neighbor’s dog on Christmas night.

According to WSVNCh. 7, a 6-year-old rescued boxer named Benjamin was being walked with another dog named Tommy when a neighbor at the Margate apartment complex where they lived pulled out a gun and shot Benjamin. The dogs were on leashes, the television station reported.

James Thompson, 54, of Lakeside Drive, was taken into custody Thursday and booked on felony animal cruelty and discharging a firearm charges, according to Broward County court records. Attempts to reach Thompson on Saturday were not successful.

Dog owner Arlette Ocampo wrote on social media that her dog was loved and spoiled.

“You will always live in me. You were the cutest gift that gave me life,” Ocampo wrote in post on Facebook on Friday. “I have comfort that I gave you a life full of adventure and pampering. I love you forever.”

Ocampo told WSVN that Thompson told her he feared for his life when Benjamin barked at him.

She said that Benjamin is friendly and tame and that he died in her arms.

“He didn’t deserve to die like that,” Ocampo said. “Letting go of a dog — I understand it is going to happen — but the way that it happened, and I just wish I could turn back time and walked him in some other direction. The dog just suffered — the hardest part. I don’t think I am ever going to get over that.”

A judge set Thompson’s bail at $2,500. Thompson posted bail, records show.