A Virginia chiropractor has been indicted on suspicion of intentionally shooting dead a family 's beloved German Shepherd with a bow and arrow . Court documents read in Fauquier County on Monday claim 47-year-old Howard Van Nostrand killed five-year-old Morgan on October 3 during deer hunting season because he was scared of being cornered by dogs . However , the same court documents also state that Van Nostrand was 15-feet above the ground in a tree stand when he pulled the trigger . Killed : Morgan was shot dead by two arrows fired by Virginia chiropractor Howard Van Nostrand on October 3 . Devastated : Craig and Karen LeValley have said they are distraught at losing their beloved family pet . According to owner 's , Craig and Karen LeValley , they first realized something was wrong when their other German Shepherd , Zeus , returned from a run around outside their property without Morgan . They received a phone call from Fauguier County Sheriff 's around one hour later following a failed attempt to find their dog and discovered Morgan dead from two arrows according to Fox News . Nostrand had told police his childhood fears of being cornered by dogs had caused him to shoot Morgan , however , the LeValley 's refute this . They say texts sent between Van Nostrand and another hunter who was there in the tree stands prove his intent . Memories : The LeValley 's have set up a Facebook page called Paws for Morgan on which they have posted pictures of their dog as a puppy ( right ) The text were read out in court and allegedly reveal one hunter ask Van Nostrand what to do about the two dogs who were out on a run around the LeValley 's property . He allegedly replied he would take care of it and shot Morgan twice . Van Nostrand has never denied shooting Morgan , but claims it was out of fear because he had been 'cornered by dogs when he was younger and didn ’ t want to take that chance again . ' The chiropractors legal counsel asked for a plea bargain but the request was denied according to Fox News . Van Nostrand will appear in front of a grand jury on March 23 and is charged with cruelty to animals and destruction of personal property greater than $ 1,000 . The case now moves to a jury trial .
Howard Van Nostrand , however , was indicted in federal court on Monday . the dead 25 - year - old German Shepherd died on hunting trip . apparently it was because he was scared but the cabin 's owners say he lies .