Owner Shoots His Dog In Head At Fairfax County Park: Police

A Customs and Border Protection officer has been arrested and charged for shooting his dog in the head and leaving its dead body at a Fairfax County park. Fairfax County Police charged Mark Cochrane, 61, of Reston with charged with felony animal cruelty, hunting or discharge of firearms in certain places prohibited, and dumping an animal on highway, public, or private property.

The shooting happened July 15, 2017 at the Archery Club Range near Fountainhead Regional Park in Fairfax Station. A witness had heard a noise and found the dead German Shepherd a half hour later, NBC Washington reported.

The dog's microchip allowed police to track down the owner. Investigations revealed Cochrane had called a vet the following month and said the dog died at home. He admitted to shooting the dog to police earlier in March.

Cochrane worked for the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection. He told police he didn't know if his duty weapon was used to shoot the dog. The gun has been seized, but investigations could not confirm if Cochrane shot the dog with it.

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