Juneau man faces charge for shooting ex-girlfriend’s dog

The Dimond Courthouse. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Independent)

By Jasz Garrett

Juneau Independent

Brian Groom, 44, is being charged with animal cruelty, a Class A Misdemeanor, for allegedly shooting his ex-girlfriend’s dog in April.

The charging document filed Tuesday states Groom killed or injured an animal with intent to intimidate, threaten, or terrorize another person. 

The charging document states the Juneau Police Department was dispatched to a report of animal cruelty on April 3 at approximately 11:30 p.m. after receiving a phone call from Groom’s ex-partner.

She told police Groom shot and killed her dog at their shared residence because she would not answer her phone. She said she was in Washington state at the time and received repeated threatening text messages and phone calls from Groom. 

The court document states police reviewed a voicemail by Groom that stated his ex-girlfriend needed to answer her phone, or he would shoot her dog. 

She told police there were two dogs with Groom at their residence, and she was worried for the safety of the second dog. 

Juneau police responded to the shared residence, where they located the dog’s body with a single gunshot wound to the head, according to the court document. The other dog was located and taken by Juneau Animal Rescue for its safety. 

Groom’s arraignment is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. on Aug. 20 at Juneau’s Dimond Courthouse.

• Contact Jasz Garrett at jasz@juneauindependent.com or (907) 723-9356.