The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department has arrested a 37-year-old man for cruelty to a police dog. LCSD reports that deputies arrested a Prosperity man who is accused of fatally shooting a police dog last week.

37-year-old James Robert Peterson is charged with Cruelty to a Police Dog, Breach of Peace, Possession of a Weapon by a Person Convicted of Certain Crimes, Resisting Arrest with a Deadly Weapon, and Four Counts of Pointing and Presenting a Firearm at a Person.

The incident occurred on June 11. It is alleged that Newberry County deputies and SLED agents attempted to arrest Peterson on a felony warrant on Gravel Road. Peterson allegedly failed to follow lawful commands and shot SLED K-9 Coba with a shotgun as the dog attempted to apprehend him.