Pair charged in botched plan to shoot, kill dog

Authorities say a New Jersey couple shot their dog with a BB gun in a botched effort to kill it because they couldn't afford to care for it.

Animal cruelty charges were recently filed against 26-year-old Keith Ropp, of Mount Olive, and 24-year-old Carly McBride, of Long Valley.

Authorities say the couple brought their 10-year-old border collie, Scout, to Flanders Veterinary Clinic on Saturday and claimed a stranger shot the dog. But the veterinarian became suspicious when the couple's stories didn't match up and he called police.

The dog had reportedly been shot six times.

Officers later found pellets in Ropp's wallet and a BB handgun that McBride said belonged to her.

It wasn't known Friday if either Ropp or McBride have retained attorneys.

Scout is doing well and has been adopted by a vet at the clinic named Dr. Jesse Gasparro.  The clinic posted a photo of the doctor and dog together. %INLINE%

With the Associated Press