Bristol man criminally charged for unprovoked shooting of a dog

Criminal charges have been filed in Sullivan County after home surveillance footage captured a motorcycle rider shooting a dog on the side of a highway.

A county report from the Sheriff’s Office said the rider, identified through registration on his bike as 64-year-old Russell Metcalf of Sharps Creek Road in Bristol, pulled out the gun while walking over to the animal then firing a shot. Metcalf was wearing a full face helmet at the time of the incident. He is charged with one count of aggravated animal cruelty.

According to WCYB’s Rebecca Pepin, the dog was one of the strays being cared for along Highway 421 named King. She noted that residents were working on placing King in a rescue home when he was shot.

Anyone with information on Metcalf’s location can call (423) 279-7330 or submit a tip online at the Sheriff’s Office website: scsotn.com

(IMAGE: Property of Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office)