A heartless Tennessee neighbor was arrested for fatally shooting a Pomeranian with a pellet gun after the adorable pup wandered into his backyard.

Riki Warren and his family were left devastated after their dog, Moose, escaped from their Gallatin home on Sunday and wandered into a neighbor’s backyard and became a target.

Neighbor William Pate, 35, claimed he shot the dog to protect his three-year-old daughter, but later admitted the little pet had never been aggressive.

Moose was shot and killed by owner Riki Warren’s neighbor after escaping from the family home.

Warren said: ‘My poor sweet furball is gone. I’m glad you’re not in pain anymore, but this shouldn’t have happened! Please pray for my daughters, they are afraid to be at home or even go home and they keep crying because they want to move!’

Warren told Sumner County deputies that her daughter was yelling that Moose had run away around 11:30 a.m., and when she went outside to find him, she heard the dog crying.

Warren said he saw the dog collapse in front of a house two doors down, then started running to catch Moose and bring him inside. WKRN.

The affidavit stated that Warren’s husband checked on the dog when he returned from work and the bullet entry site was in the dog’s hind leg.

The couple took the dog to the emergency vet, where they were told the animal was suffering from internal bleeding and had broken ribs. With no way out, surgery to remove the dog was scheduled for Nov. 4, but they were told the pet would not survive the night, according to court documents.

According to WKRN, Warren said the dog had previously escaped and gone to Pate’s house and then sent him hostile messages on social media.

Warren added that there have been no other incidents in which the dog has escaped from the home and that Moose has never been aggressive towards anyone.

She texted Pate and asked if he knew what happened to the dog, but Pate told her he wasn’t home and had no idea.

Neighbor William Pate initially said he didn’t know what happened to the dog, but eventually admitted to shooting Moose to protect his three-year-old daughter.

Pate said the dog was never aggressive, and Warren added that it “loved kids and everyone.”

But another neighbor messaged Warren on Facebook, saying she noticed the dog running past Pate’s house and whining. According to the affidavit, the neighbor saw Pate outside his home and noticed the garage door was open, indicating he had been home all day, WKRN reported.

According to court documents, the deputy asked Pate for his side of the story.

‘Mr. Pate said he wasn’t initially sure what happened to the dog. Mr. Pate stated that he believed the incident occurred in a neighborhood. ‘I explained to Mr Pate the size of the dog and the bullet that had hit the animal, explaining that it was impossible for the dog to travel that far with serious injury.’

Pate also told the deputy he had been in and out of the house, which contradicted what he told Warren. Pate explained to the sheriff’s deputy that a Facebook post about Moose accused him of shooting the dog.

‘I told Mr Pate I had no concerns about a Facebook post and told Mr Pate he must have seen something. Mr. Pate then said, “Do I want the dog shot? Yes,” the deputy said.

Pate later admitted that he shot the dog that was constantly on his property to protect his daughter.

The neighbor who saw the dog running away from Pate’s garden said that they had never seen the girl in the garden.

Warren said the dog never became violent or aggressive and that no ‘pet free’ calls were ever made regarding Moose.

‘He loved kids and everyone,’ Warren said. ‘He was a fun and brave dog’

‘He loved kids and everyone,’ Warren said. ‘He was a fun and brave dog.’

A memorial service was held to remember Moose on Thursday, with Warren writing on Facebook: ‘Anyone who has a pup come and support, bring your dog on a leash for a vigil for my girls Moose or just come and support our sweet girls.’

Warren also posted a collection of photos in tribute to Moose: ‘My poor sweet ball of fur is gone. I’m glad you’re not in pain anymore, but this shouldn’t have happened! Please pray for my daughters, they are afraid to be at home or even go home and they keep crying because they want to move!’

A friend of mine commented and said: One time when I watched her, she was so sweet, so friendly, and wouldn’t hurt a fly. I can’t believe this is happening. ‘I’m praying for you guys.’

Pate was arrested on a charge of aggravated animal cruelty on a $2,000 pre-trial bail.

He has since been released from jail and will appear in court on November 19.