The suspect admitted to shooting the dog after it began barking at him, the affidavit says.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A St. Petersburg man is charged with animal cruelty after shooting a Black Labrador Retriever, according to officials.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said deputies arrived at a home before 9:30 a.m. Monday to a home located on 46th Street North where they found the dog lying dead at the end of the driveway.

An arrest affidavit said 76-year-old Edgar Surber told investigators that the dog was walking towards him and said he was “scared for his safety.”

Surber reportedly denied ever walking away nor attempting to distance himself from the dog.

After receiving his Miranda Rights, Surber admitted that shot the dog in the head after it started barking at him from roughly three feet away, the affidavit reads. 

Surber was arrested, but released on bond the next morning.