A man accused of killing his neighbour’s dog told Saskatoon provincial court Wednesday he shot the nine-month-old St. Bernard to protect his own animals.
Eugene Krawchuk is charged with unlawfully killing a dog, using a firearm in a careless manner and possessing a firearm without a license in relation to the April 11, 2013 incident. His wife, Laurie Krawchuk, is also charged with possessing a firearm without a license.
The couple, who took the stand Wednesday, said the St. Bernard, Bentley, was trying to kill the Krawchuk’s donkey and was chasing their horses when Eugene shot the dog.
Their neighbour, 17-year-old Lianne Price, testified Tuesday she pleaded with Eugene Krawchuk not to shoot her dog after the dog jumped a fence into the Krawchuk’s pasture.
She said Laurie warned her that if she didn’t get her dog off the Krawchuk’s property, they would shoot Bentley.
Price tried to call her dog over but the dog stayed in the pasture and Eugene shot the dog, Price said.
The trial’s closing arguments will be held at a later date.
Lianne’s father, Michael Price, who is charged with assaulting Eugene following the incident, also took the stand Wednesday.
He told court he believes the incident wasn’t the first time Eugene tried to shoot one of the Price’s animals.
Michael Price’s trial is set for March.
