Luke Anthony Wilson, 42, sentenced in Toowoomba Magistrates Court for shooting parent’s dog dead

Left alone while his parents enjoyed a holiday away from home, a troubled man made a grim and costly mistake.

Toowoomba man Luke Anthony Wilson appeared in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday pleading guilty to injuring an animal, wilful damage, weapons and explosive charges. Picture: iStock

A Toowoomba family was left without their beloved family pet after their son drunkenly shot the animal in the head.

Toowoomba man Luke Anthony Wilson appeared in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday pleading guilty to injuring an animal, wilful damage, weapons and explosive charges after shooting the family dog.

Police prosecutor Nick Pratt told the court two witnesses had ventured to the family property to check on Wilson’s wellbeing while his parents were away on holiday.

“When they arrived they couldn’t see the victim’s dog, Eric, anywhere,” Mr Pratt said.

“During a conversation the defendant admitted to shooting the dog … he told them that he had killed the dog.”

Wilson then took one of the witnesses to the deceased animal which had been tethered to a tree.

Police attended the residence two days later where Wilson denied any knowledge about how the animal sustained its injury.

“He said he believed that he found Eric and it had been hit by a car,” Mr Pratt told the court.

“(Police) found the dog with no obvious signs of being hit by a car, there was a small entry wound in the dog’s head that appeared to be consistent with a gunshot.”

The following week, when taken for questioning, Wilson confessed all to police.

The court was told Wilson told police he spotted a snake in his room and decided to break into his father’s locked gun safe.

“He stated he got nervous because the firearm had a hairlike trigger and, not knowing how to unload it, he accidentally fired which resulted in the round being discharged.

“Although the defendant showed remorse, he stated also that he did have some trouble with alcohol and had consumed up to a bottle of spirits.”

Wilson was not licensed to handle or possess ammunition and firearms at the time.

Solicitor Chelsea Saldumbide of McConnell and Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers stressed Wilson’s struggles with alcohol dependency but told the court he had remained sober since the incident.

“It is accepted that it was a significant contributing factor to the offending,” she said.

“He’s well engaged with his (rehabilitation) program … he continues to wish to proceed with that particular intervention.”

Ms Saldumbide added the death of the family dog had brought “great sadness” to the entire family, including Wilson himself, and claimed he had initially lied to police out of fear.

“He panicked he would be in significant trouble,” she said.

Magistrate Mark Howden fined Wilson $1500, ruling against probation due to his apparent dedication to rehabilitation.

“It seems to me that you are making a genuine effort now to change your situation.”

No convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Luke Anthony Wilson, 42, sentenced in Toowoomba Magistrates Court for shooting parent’s dog dead