The Summerville Police Department is investigating an incident in which a dog was shot and later died from its injuries following a dispute between two Chattooga County residents.

According to police reports, officers were dispatched to 32 Suzie Lane on May 31 after receiving a complaint regarding a dog that had been shot.

The dog’s owner, Shane Ray Sword, 36, of Summerville, told officers that his black Labrador mix had gone down the street near a local church before returning with a gunshot wound to its right front shoulder. The dog later died. Sword told police the dog was not aggressive toward people or other animals and alleged that Jacob Caldwell, 31, of Summerville, had shot the animal.

Police later spoke with Caldwell, who acknowledged shooting the dog. According to the report, Caldwell stated the dog had entered his property and was growling at him and his dogs. He told officers he fired a shot into the dog’s shoulder in an effort to stop the animal and protect his pets.

Caldwell further told police there had been a prior incident involving the same dog. According to statements included in the report, he claimed the dog had previously come onto his property and killed one of his puppies during the winter months.

In a supplemental report filed June 1, Caldwell provided officers with video footage that reportedly showed the dog on his property near his driveway shortly before the shooting. Police also reviewed Chattooga County E-911 records and found documentation of a December 25, 2025 call involving allegations that a dog belonging to Sword had killed one of Caldwell’s dogs.

The video footage and CAD records were added to the case file, according to police.

The incident has been documented by the Summerville Police Department as an information-only report. No criminal charges were listed in the reports released by authorities, and officers advised those involved that any further action regarding the dispute would need to be pursued through magistrate court.

All individuals involved are presumed innocent unless and until proven otherwise in a court of law.