A 34-year-old Snydersburg man, accused of shooting the pet dog of a neighbor when it wandered onto his property Friday, was arrested and charged with cruelty to the animal, reckless endangerment and maliciously injuring the dog.

Brian Keith Miller, who lives in the 2200 block of Snydersburg Road, was released on his own recognizance by a court commissioner.

State police said they were called to the home of Kevin Kilishek in the 2300 block of Snydersburg Road at 6:05 p.m. Friday and found Mr. Kilishek's small dog, Cookie, with a bullet wound in its right rear leg.

Tfc. Christopher Hannon said he went to the home of Mr. Miller, questioned him and confiscated a .22-caliber rifle with an attached scope.

Mr. Kilishek told police the dog had been outside with his three children, Kelly, Mischa and Jesse, when it wandered onto the neighbor's lawn and was shot. He said the animal's leg might have to be amputated because of the wound.

The reckless endangerment charge was filed because the shooting occurred in the vicinity of the three children -- within 100 feet, according to District Court papers.