Updated at: 10/28/2009 9:01 PM | KSAX.com
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Eight Puppies Shot Dead After Willmar Man "Loses it"

Willmar, Minn - A Willmar man made his first court appearance for allegedly shooting nine puppies. Eight of them did not survive. His tenant said he just "lost it" following a dispute Saturday night.

Terence Schwartz, 57, faces charges of animal cruelty and second-degree assault after allegedly shooting seven puppies owned by an unidentified man who rents a home from him near Willmar.

According to Kandiyohi County Sheriff Daniel Hartog, Schwartz wanted the dogs off his property and decided to take matters into his own hands.

"He told the renter that he didn't want the dogs there a while ago, and when he found them still there Saturday evening he proceeded to get a gun and shot the puppies, "said Hartog.

Schwartz is also accused of pointing the gun at the man who rented from him.

According to a neighbor Leroy Johnson, who lives down the road, the killing of innocent puppies is a complete shock.

"I get a leery feeling when I think about what happened over there. I don't even want to let my dogs go outside," said Johnson.

Schwartz faces charges of second-degree assault and animal cruelty. His next court appearance will be Nov. 9.

Click here to see the follow-up story: Miracle Puppy Lone Survivor of Eight Siblings in Horrific Shooting

Written for the Web by Anthony Kiekow.

akiekow@ksax.com