PHELPS, Ky. — A Pike County man already under indictment for a stabbing was arrested again last week, after a man complained that he shot his dog.
The animal’s owner contacted Kentucky State Police on Thursday, saying Cody Wright, 22, of Phelps, had shot his dog while it was on the owner’s property.
The man told police he had recently purchased a piece of property at the intersection of Route 194 and Rockhouse Road, and that Wright would routinely cut through his property, either walking or in a vehicle, even though he had told him to stop.
The man said he was working on the property and had his 150 lb. mastiff with him, when Wright came across the bridge, causing the dog to bark. He said Wright then pointed a gun at the dog, saying he would shoot it if it got too close. The man said he told Wright the dog wouldn’t bother him and he had it on a shock collar to keep it under control, but he said Wright shot the dog in the face, despite it being several feet away.
When contacted by police, Wright admitted shooting the dog, but said it was directly beside his leg.
The state trooper noted in is report that he found the animal’s blood was about 10 yards from the roadway.
Wright also told police he had given the gun to a family member, because he wasn’t “supposed to be around guns” as a condition of his bond in another case. He is currently under indictment for first-degree assault, after allegedly stabbing his uncle in the face in 2021.
Wright was arrested and charged with trespassing and cruelty to animals. The police report also notes that information about the case was also given to the commonwealth’s attorney’s office for a potential wanton endangerment charge.
