CLAY COUNTY, Fla. -- A man who grew tired of his neighbor's puppy wandering into his yard recently shot and killed the animal with a pellet gun, according to investigators.

Clay County deputies arrested Jason Tidwell.

They said Tidwell's wife told them he shot a young black lab when the dog got free from a neighbor's house.

"My dog got out of my back yard for five minutes and she ran down by my other neighbors house. The guy came out and shot her in her stomach and she went limp," said the dog's owner, Braswell. "It just automatically paralyzed her. When I got to her, she was still breathing and then she died in my arms."

The heartbroken woman said she was left to explain to her young children what happened to their puppy, Raven.

Braswell said the reason behind her puppy's death was just as upsetting at the death itself.

Deputies said Tidwell's wife told them the pet would wander into their yard and eat their cat's food.

"She wasn't even in his yard. His whole story was that she ate his cat food," Braswell said. "Why didn't they come tell me? I would have bought them more cat food if that was the case, but she wasn't even in his yard."

Police said the suspect never called them or animal control to complain about the animal until the shooting.

"Citizens have the right to protect themselves, loved ones and their property from harm and danger, but certainly that doesn't give them right the to use deadly force," said Lt. Bill Gaden.

Braswell said Raven had never shown any signs of aggressiveness.

"She was so sweet. We got her about 7-8 months ago -- black lab, great around my kids. She just got out in for five minutes, and now she's gone," Braswell said.

Tidwell is charged with animal cruelty.