A man is behind bars in Boyle County after he allegedly shot a dog.

On Tuesday, deputies with Boyle County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to Needmore Road following a report of a missing beagle. At the scene, they discovered several shell casings in the vicinity of the backyard and dog kennel. Signs of blood were evident on the exterior of the doghouse and the home’s porch. Despite a thorough search, the dog remained unaccounted for.

The investigation led to Kenneth Wingard, who had been residing at the property. Police say he confessed to shooting the dog in a state of severe intoxication, then concealed the animal’s body in his truck’s floorboard, locking the vehicle, and vacating the premises.

Authorities later retrieved the slain beagle, noting it had been shot multiple times, and returned it to the owner.

Wingard now faces serious charges, including first-degree wanton endangerment, tampering with physical evidence, and the torture of a dog/cat resulting in severe injury or death.