Police: Palatine Man Shot, Killed Dog

A Palatine man is facing numerous charges, including a felony, for shooting and killing a neighbor's German Shepard early Friday morning, according to a press release from the Palatine Police Department.

Piotr Holy, 40, of the 1100 block of S. Brockway Street, reportedly killed the animal after it entered his backyard, according to the release.

Police found a deer carcass in the backyard during their investigation. Piotr told them it was there to lure coyotes, which he planned to intentionally kill with a 22 caliber gun.

The dog, named Willy, belonged to a 31-year-old Palatine resident who was trying to leash him at 1:45 a.m. when he got away from her. The woman went looking for the animal and while searching, told police she heard what she believed to be a single gun shot, the release stated.

The dog was then located in a backyard in the 1100 block of S. Smith Street. The release stated when she found the animal, she discovered he was shot and bleeding and took him immediately to an Arlington Heights animal hospital.

Palatine police met the woman at the animal hospital. Willy died during surgery, according to the release.

When police spoke to Piotr, he initially denied shooting anything, then admitted to police he shot what he believed to be a coyote, police said.

Holy was taken into custody by Palatine Police, and two .22 caliber rifles were confiscated.

He is charged with Felony Aggravated Cruel Treatment of an Animal, Obstructing a Peace Officer, Reckless Conduct, and Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm while Hunting within 300 yards of an Inhabited Dwelling without Permission.