Charges Filed Against Massachusetts Lawyer for Animal Cruelty

A lawyer in Massachusetts is facing charges of animal cruelty after an incident where his wife’s elderly dog was shot in the head. Authorities allege that he mistakenly targeted the dog while trying to shoot a coyote from a second-story window.

Christopher Lucas, 59, was arrested on Monday. In addition to animal cruelty, he faces charges for hunting without a license, hunting out of season, and discharging a firearm near a residence. Reportedly, Lucas fired from a room above his garage on August 16, 2025, and struck his 14-year-old dog, Lise, who was in the driveway. Detectives noted that the entire event was captured on the home’s security camera, including the emotional aftermath as the family mourned their dying pet.

Investigators revealed that Lucas did not possess a valid hunting license for Massachusetts and was hunting outside of the designated season. His wife finally contacted the police in February 2026, as per prosecutors. “Christopher claimed he shot the dog because he believed it was a coyote,” shared Norfolk County Assistant District Attorney Kelsey Shea in court.

Lucas reported an incident to the police in March, stating that his wife threatened to expose him if she did not agree to the terms of their divorce. According to her attorney, Ken DeFazio, the delay in contacting authorities stemmed from their ongoing asset separation in state probate court.

Wife testimony indicated she was about five feet away from the dog when the shots were fired. Footage from a Ring camera allegedly shows her lying next to Lise as the dog’s tail wagged. Following the shooting, Lucas reportedly transported the dog’s body to Maine for burial, according to court documents.

A not guilty plea has been entered on his behalf, according to reports.