Feuding Neighbors leads to dog being shot and burned

ATHENS, Al.
Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely said it's possible both parties could be arrested after an owner's dog was shot and burned Tuesday night during what he called an ongoing dispute between neighbors.

Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely

Mitzy, a 6-month-old black lab, was allegedly shot Tuesday night and burned in a pile of debris by Jimmy Tunstill at a Limestone County home. Sheriff's deputies responded to a call from Brandy Gatlin that her dog had been killed.
"It's an ongoing neighbor feud," Blakely said. "That's part of the problem."
Blakely said deputies had been called out before to deal with the neighbors before and Tunstill had contacted animal services in regards to Gatlin's dog.
"Yesterday the dog got on his property and he shot it because he thought it was trying to kill his chickens," Blakely said. "Mr. Tunstill has a right to protect his property and chickens, but he probably didn't use good judgment disposing of the animal."
Whether or not charges are brought will depend on whether the parties involved bring the charges, Blakely said. He said Mr. Gatlin could be arrested for letting her dog go onto his property and Mr. Tunstill could be arrested for the way he disposed of the dog. It's illegal to dispose of an animal in that matter."
"Our sheriff's office, like in most rural areas, spends a good portion of our time dealing with neighbors who don't get along," Blakely said. "Many people want the government to solve all the problems, but people have got to learn to be good neighbors."