(PA) A Bucks County man shot his dog and then barbecued it, police say

A Bucks County man has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals after he shot his dog and then grilled the animal in a fire pit outside his home, prosecutors said Monday. Nikolay Lukyanchikov, 48, was arrested early Friday at his home in Northampton Township. He was also charged with discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, reckless endangerment and related offenses, according to court records. There was no indication he had hired an attorney.

He remained in custody Monday in lieu of $1 million bail. Prosecutors said Monday that they argued for such a high amount given the serious nature of the cruelty charge — a felony — and because they believe he poses a danger to the community.

Officers in Northampton Township were called to Lukyanchikov’s home just after 7 a.m. on Friday for reports of an open fire on his front lawn, according to the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest. There, the officers found Lukyanchikov sitting on a couch, “incredibly intoxicated” and unable to speak, the affidavit said. He was setting $100 bills on fire with lighter fluid inside a metal fire pit in front of him. On top of the fire pit was a barbecue grate, on which Lukyanchikov had placed a small animal that had been badly burned.

After the fire was extinguished, the officers determined the animal was a small dog that had been apparently shot in its eye, according to the affidavit. Lukyanchikov’s roommate later told police she had heard gunfire from his room earlier that day, and that he had admitted to her that he shot his dog with his 9mm Beretta handgun and hid it outside.

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