An Illinois man shot his neighbor’s dog in the head at point-blank range as its horrified owners — including a young girl — took the pooch for an evening walk, prosecutors said.
John Fazzini, 61, was arrested Tuesday in the March 10 shooting of an 8-year-old German shepherd mix named Jameson while walking his own dog, according to DuPage County prosecutors and Aurora police.
Cops said Fazzini’s pet started to bark at Jameson from across the street as the animal was being walked by its owners, including a 10-year-old girl.
Jameson, also known as “Jamo,” then wiggled out of his harness and approached Fazzini and his dog before running circles around them and trotting toward the pair, police said.
Without warning and while roughly four feet away, Fazzini pulled out a gun and shot Jameson in the head before fleeing, according to a statement by DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin.
The bullet that struck Jameson, who was hit once in the right side of his nose, exited below his left ear. He was rushed to a hospital and miraculously survived.
“It is alleged that without provocation Mr. Fazzini pulled out a loaded handgun and shot a family pet just feet away from family members, including a 10-year-old girl,” Berlin said. “These allegations are simply unconscionable.”
Fazzini is facing charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, reckless discharge of a firearm and criminal damage to property. A judge set his bond at $100,000 during a court appearance Wednesday. He’s due back before a judge on May 4.
Fazzini was released from custody later Wednesday, online records show.
Jameson’s family, meanwhile, said the pooch is still recovering from the frightening attack.
“Not quite Jamo yet, but he’s alive,” owner Megan Peterman told WMAQ. “His personality comes back a little bit more every day … An inch one way or the other, he wouldn’t be here.”
Peterman’s partner, Zack Zeciroski, told the station he and his daughter were 12 feet away from Fazzini and his dog when he stopped to let his neighbor move farther along down the street. Fazzini’s dog was unleashed at the time, Zeciroski said.
“All he cared about was that there was a little dog to play with,” Peterman recalled.
Peterman and Zeciroski insisted Jameson posed no threat to Fazzini and his smaller dog.
“We just ask that justice takes his course and [Fazzini] gets what he’s got coming to him,” Zeciroski told WMAQ.
Attempts to reach Fazzini Thursday afternoon were not immediately successful.