An Anne Arundel County man has been charged with a firearms violation and animal cruelty after police said he shot his Severna Park neighbor's pit bull, which he told officers had aggressively barked and growled at him.

Police said the shooting occurred about 6:30 p.m. Saturday in the 300 block of Benfield Road. "The male subject reported that the dog was aggressively barking and growling at him," police said in a statement. The man pulled out a gun and shot the dog once, police said.

The dog ran away and later died. Charles McConnell Jr., 39, of the 300 block of Benfield Road, was charged with discharging a firearm in a residential area and animal cruelty, both misdemeanors. Police said prosecutors are reviewing the case and that the investigation continues.