UTAH — As a councilman for the town of Tabiona, 58-year-old Rick E. Wilberg is partially responsible for making decisions that affect his municipality. One of those decisions landed him in jail last Friday after he shot his neighbor’s dog to death with a .22-caliber rifle because it was barking a lot.

The dog was a 9-month-old teacup chihuahua — adorable, but also known for its ear-piercing yap.

Wilberg’s neighbor Peggy Redmiles is mortified by his actions. Her son heard the gunshot and ran outside to find their tiny canine dead from a single gunshot wound. “I am terrified. I am angry. He was like my baby,” she said. “I am so scared to let my other dogs go in the backyard, and the only thing that was separating my yard from my neighbors with small children was a chain-link fence.”

Wilberg admitted to police that he shot the dog, and did not appear remorseful at all.

The police report simply stated “he had been sick of listening to the dog bark and warned [Redmiles] and she done nothing about it, so he shot the dog.” He also said he was drinking vodka.

Wilberg was arrested on suspicion of felony animal cruelty and public intoxication. Police determined that children were playing in the area at the time he fired the gun, but there was no mention of him being charged with reckless endangerment, or careless firearm discharge.

Those of you yappy dog haters that are siding with Wilberg, I’ve got news for you: the guy sounds like a grumpy prick. According to Peggy Redmiles, he has complained to her numerous times over the years about her chicken coop, over-watering her garden, and the noises her swimming pool makes at night.

Instead of telling him to fuck off, Redmiles got rid of her chicken coop and her garden, and turned her pool off at night so it didn’t make noises. She didn’t have to do any of that, but she did.

I couldn’t find any photos of Rick Wilberg, but I found a news article from last year in which he was quoted. The article was about a town clerk that had stolen money from the town, and Wilberg was asked to comment on her actions, but he responded with an absurd statement that reeks of animal abuse:

Actual quote: “I don’t know whether to cry or get mad. I’m ready to stop by the side of the road and slap a horse or something.” SLAP A HORSE? Slap a horse, shoot a dog — same thing, really.

Wilberg was interviewed on Sunday but he wouldn’t comment on the shooting because it is “still under investigation.” He did however label HIMSELF as the victim, claiming that Redmiles’s kids have egged his home and property, and that her husband has threatened to assault him twice.

I’d threaten to beat him up too if he complained about my chicken coop though.

Regardless of his feeble old man story about being victimized by his neighbors, the reality is that Rick Wilberg got drunk and murdered an innocent dog. Then, when he had the chance to apologize and accept responsibility during an interview, he did the exact opposite. That is some weak shit.

If you live in Tabiona, don’t re-elect Rick Wilberg for city council — for your dog’s sake.

Sources: 1, 2