Should Caisen Green be prosecuted for shooting a pit bull with an arrow?

Oklahoma teen under investigation after posting image of slain pit bull

Feb, 19, 2013 | AUTHOR: Darren O; | Related : News

18-year-old Caisen Green of Tahlequah, Oklahoma (above) posted a gruesome image of a pit bull he shot and killed with an arrow to Facebook with the caption:

“For all you Pit lovers out there. Here’s what happens when one shows up around my house.”

The image sparked immediate outrage and went viral. Green and his family started receiving death threats and the young man is said to have moved out of town for fear of his safety. Green deleted the image and his account but it was shared so often it will now forever be a part of the internet landscape. Many initially questioned the authenticity of the photograph but the young man’s father has since acknowledged that the shooting took place.

Here is the original message posted by Caisen with the startling image of the slain pit bull trimmed off. (if you’re inclined to see the picture as initially posted, you can view that here).

Once the image began circulating concerned folks flooded the Cherokee County Sheriff’s office with demands of justice, as calls came in “from around the world.” Cherokee County Undersheriff J.C. Chennault has stated that the event is under investigation.

“One of the patrol deputies called me and wanted me to know about it. I met him at the sheriff’s office and he showed me the picture… It’s a gray area. If the dog is threatening livestock or your well-being, you can do what you have to do stop it. I’m going to do my best to get everything done this week.”

Chennault is also requesting that the death threats stop, adding that those guilty of such actions could later face prosecution.

“There’s a possibility someone could be prosecuted for making threats, definitely. I understand people being passionate about an animal’s safety and well-being, but it can’t come at the expense of a human being.”

Green has hired an attorney and was supposed to meet with Chennault today. The Undersheriff is gathering up evidence and facts regarding the shooting of the pit bull and will be handing this information over to the District Attorney who will decide whether or not to prosecute.

If the D.A. moves forward, Green could be charged with felony animal cruelty.

Green’s father stated that his son shot the dog in question as a means of protecting his younger siblings.

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michaelb

The placement of the arrow was not a quick death and the siblings would be safer indoors. Bragging about it is likely sociopathic
- Nathan
  
  So kids should be confined to playing indoors because some irresponsible pit bull owner lets his dog roam free?
  - Sweet Venom
    
    The children being kept indoors for a few hours while the dog was safely taken away would have done them no harm. I won’t disrespect you by calling you stupid.
  - Melinda Smith
    
    So its ok to let your kids run around outside when there is some lunatic running around with a bow and arrow?
    - http://www.facebook.com/TammyFrancis65 Tammy Francis
      
      Agreed!
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000482968965 Skywishes El-ahrairah
    
    Pitbulls are NOT vicious , i was attacked by a dog and now i help all breeds who have suffered a the hand of man . if a dog attacks you .. trust me you have NO time to get a bow and arrow
  - http://www.facebook.com/linda.spechtfleming Linda L Fleming
    
    This punk made a conscience descision to kill a companion animal! Dogs can get away from even the most responsible owner, and it doesnt have to be a Pit owner!!!!
  - http://www.facebook.com/TammyFrancis65 Tammy Francis
    
    Who says the dog was even on their property? Who says the dog was even a threat? This could have been a trusting neighbor’s, friendly dog, and the boy may have lured it to his property to shoot it. What do you know?
  - http://www.facebook.com/wldlifcons David Lavallee
    
    just because a dog is running loose does that give you the rifgr to kill it? Nothing was mentioned about the dog tring to attack
Jenn

He’d better be prosecuted. He didn’t shoot this poor thing for his safety. He shot it for sport.
- http://www.facebook.com/linda.spechtfleming Linda L Fleming
  
  Agreed!
- http://www.facebook.com/TammyFrancis65 Tammy Francis
  
  I agree! He stated; “This is what happens when a Pitt shows up near my house”, NOT “This is what happens when a dog threatens my family”! His father should not enable his son by lying for him either. He should let the law handle this, be a good example to his troubled son (who obviously needs mental help), by telling the truth. This is what happens when families are sick. Get help!
- moagleypibbles
  
  totally agree, especially with the positioning of the arrow…it appears to have been shot as the dog was passing by the shooter
  - Pamela
    
    Officer Barney FIFE needs to do some actual police work. The dog was 60 feet away from the kid, it was supposedly being aggressive, so explain exactly HOW the dog got shot in the SIDE? if it was being aggressive and coming for the kid? way to go Barney FIFE just another hickabilly cop showing his lack of intelligence.
    - moagleypibbles
      
      if your referring to me I was actually saying the same thing. Thanks for being an a$$hole though.
    - moagleypibbles
      
      passing by….aggressing two different things <3 barney. this is why we get nowhere. people on the same side attacking like jackals
Jenn

If he shot it to “protect” his siblings it was mostly likely because of the horrible rap that pits get. The dog was probably doing nothing wrong, but to “protect” people he took the dog’s life. It is disgusting that he then went and bragged about it on the internet like he was a bad ass only to then be a coward and hide.
- http://www.facebook.com/TammyFrancis65 Tammy Francis
  
  He was not protecting anyone, or he would have bragged about that too!
- http://www.facebook.com/jane.staffodshire Jane Staffodshire
  
  If he was protecting his siblings, he would have brought them inside when he went in to get his bow. Little jerk killed this dog for sport, and watched it suffer because he is a freak. Nice way to teach your son how to be a man dad…run away, hide behind mommy, and lie about the circumstances. What a tool.
bailey78

He just needs his ass kicked is all. Maybe a few broken fingers
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005066474573 Jane D. Staffordshire

He said nothing about his siblings when he was bragging and taunting dog advocates online. He let that dog lie there and suffer a slow death. He isn’t so tough now hiding behind mama’s skirts. What a jerk.
- http://www.facebook.com/rosemarie.osborn2 Rosemarie Frida Donarsdottir
  
  they are gonna have fun with this little fresh fish…even low lives like criminals have their own sense of what is decent and what is not…sounds weird but they do and Im pretty sure an animal torturer like him is going to capture the attention of some bubba who happens to love animals….i pray to the gods its so..there has to be some kind of justice done for that poor dog that was killed
ohmygeez

Nothing about this says “danger” to me. He’s treating it more like a sport, as if he shot a deer. Shoot first and ask questions later shouldn’t apply to animals anymore than it should humans.
missy

The police and his father need to realize this time it may be a dog next time it could be a human
- http://www.facebook.com/TammyFrancis65 Tammy Francis
  
  I soo agree with you. As I have already stated, this boy needs mental help!
http://www.facebook.com/Etta.SamplesBredeson Etta Samples-Bredeson

This guy needs to be prosecuted to the FULLEST EXTENT of the LAW !! He in No way mentions that Him or His Siblings were in Danger.. that is an after thought from his Dad so he can try and get this SMART Ass out of TROUBLE !! He is Bragging that he took a life !! next time it might be a Person..I hope he does alot of JAIL time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nathan

1) I’m always amazed at how people from all over the world get so worked over these animal cruelty issues. As if a dead dog on the other side of the world is really more important than the children being abused and neglected every day all over the world.
2) Go ahead and flame me: Pit bulls are violent, nasty dogs. Over the past several decades, they have been specifically bred for aggression. I know, I know . . . “My pit bull is the sweetest angel ever, blah, blah, blah.” These dogs are used in dog fights for a reason.

3) No one knows all the facts here. Who knows what type of problems this kid might have been having with this dog prior to the incident. Regardless, I think any reasonable person would agree that no responsible pit bull owner would just let their dog roam free around a neighborhood where small children play.
- Kaitlyn
  
  Pit bulls are only violent if they are raised that way. Learn your facts because i know LOADS of pit bulls that are the most gentle dogs in the damn world. He shot an animal and bragged about it. He’s a piece of shit who needs to be prosecuted. And pits aren’t the only dogs used in dog fights so again LEARN YOUR FACTS/
- Sweet Venom
  
  You hear that everyone? If you have a problem with a dog, don’t call the proper authorities or anything, no go ahead and kill it. You are absolutely brilliant Nathan! Your intelligence astounds me.
  
  Also, why is an abused child more important than an abused animal? Because the child can cry and speak and therefore plague your conscious? That’s not a valid reason.
- Melinda Smith
  
  Because it has been proven over and over that these creeps start with animals and move on to the human abuse you are so incredibly concerned about.
  
  The dogs are used in dog fights because they will go to extraordinary
  lengths to please their owners – including fighting to the death. It is
  not the dog’s fault. It is the owner’s fault. They are trained BY
  HUMANS – it is not bred into them – these people who breed them are NOT
  geneticists by trade. If they were, I find it highly unlikely that they would be wasting their degrees on something as horrible and hostile as this. Rather, the people that engage in this type of behavior are lowlife scum looking to make a
  quick buck rather than working for a living. Please inform me, how in the world can people who rarely possess higher than a 6th grade education alter the genetic code and produce such a super breed of fighting dog? Do you even THINK before you post such ludicrous statements? The library is free, avail yourself of it.
  
  Only a sociopath would take a picture of a dog he killed and taunt animal advocates with it, thinking he would not suffer any repercussions. The article never defined any issues with this dog – and by taking it to the streets as he did, then he deserves to be held responsible for his actions. If there were extenuating circumstances, then they should have been made available. Reading between the lines is not your job.
  - http://www.facebook.com/TammyFrancis65 Tammy Francis
    
    Well said!
- http://www.facebook.com/TammyFrancis65 Tammy Francis
  
  Wow!
- http://www.facebook.com/TammyFrancis65 Tammy Francis
  
  What a looser you are…you and this sick ass kid belong to the same screwed up family??
http://www.facebook.com/etherslumber Michelle Holley-Palmertree

Why is this even a question? Of course, he should be prosecuted. It will be a human next.
Sweet Venom

Hey, I also have a bow and arrow. I’d love to hunt him for sport. If only he were my next door neighbor *sigh*
123tl78

Sounds like the kind of man that should be in prison. It’s what you call animal abuse.
jeff

If a pitbull or any other dog is on my land threatning my pets or livestock I will defend my property. The end. You people can wah wah all you want but my cats, horses, children, chickens or whatever have a right to live in peace on MY land. Want a solution? fence your damn dog, and if the fence isn’t secure and he/she gets out. Be prepared to deal with the consequences. And I welcome the complaining and bleating from all you bleeding hearts out there.
- Sweet Venom
  
  If your kid ever happens to play on my lawn, bet your arse I’ll kill it. Does that sound logical?
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000482968965 Skywishes El-ahrairah
  
  and if your shitty kid comes near me .. ill knock their teeth out my dogs have the right to be free on MY land .. so wah wah all you want ya weirdo inbred
- Jenn
  
  So what happens if your child or cat gets into the neighbor’s yard? Does that mean the neighbor can kill it? If you cat pisses in my grass or on my plants and kills it then you have no problem if I feed it some anti-freeze so it has a nice suffering death? I guarantee you wouldn’t agree any of that is the right thing to do. If the dog was causing problems you call animal control and they get the dog you don’t shoot it with a bow and arrow so that it lays there and suffers while you brag about it on twitter.
- http://www.facebook.com/linda.spechtfleming Linda L Fleming
  
  I will give you a BLEATING heart response. Dogs can get away from even the most responsible owner, and it doesnt have to be a Pit owner!!!! When is the last time you heard of a companion animal attacking unprovoked!! The reason punk asses like this DON’T get punished is because of bleating heart LIBERALS like you!!! If this was YOUR dog that was killed, I’d bet my life you’d be singing a different tune!
- http://www.facebook.com/krynaski Kate Ry
  
  You can defend yourself without killing something…and who’s to say it was even threatening? The kid was out of line. Not to mention, he bragged about it on facebook like a punk. I get defending what you have, but if you’re going to jump the gun and go all Rambo, you have got to accept the repercussions. As a homeowner you are responsible for what happens on your property, including your poor decisions.
123tl78

There’s such a thing as a quick death and someone who likes to see something suffer jeff. Sounds like this kid liked to see an animal who is loose through no fault of his own suffer and then brag about it? Sounds like the kid needs some prison time. As for death threats. Well, no one should be threatening anyone’s life but it’s the media. Why would anyone post killing an animal and bragging about it? There is nothing to brag about.
Bill

How could you even try and say her was protecting his siblings. The kid was acting tough, but when the consequences bare down on him he hides behind his family. I hope he gets what he deserves, and for his sake I hope wherever he goes the inmates don’t know what he did. A lot of them love pits!
- http://www.facebook.com/rosemarie.osborn2 Rosemarie Frida Donarsdottir
  
  instead i hope they do find out…listen, there has to be consequences for the actions we do both good, bad or indifferent…this POS made a conscious decision to be cruel to an innocent animal…if he gets his ass kicked or otherwise by some inmate that is a direct result of his despicable action i have no sympathy for the monster, he set this in motion and now the law needs to do what is right and punish him to the fullest extent of the law
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000482968965 Skywishes El-ahrairah

If he is old enough to kill he is old enough to deal with the real world .
Robert

I’d love to get my hands on this scumbag . Prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law .
http://www.facebook.com/PurpleMeowFace1992 Kirsten R Alleman

I think he shot the Pittie for sport. I hope he gets charged for animal cruelty.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Karen-Saucedo/1629653322 Karen Saucedo

Just an 18 yr old POS. I hope someone gives him his arrow back, in the eyeball.
http://www.facebook.com/linda.spechtfleming Linda L Fleming

He was not trying to protect anything! He, just for sport of using a bow and arrow, shot the dog and commenced to boasting about it immediately on facebook! There is NO fine line here. I’m sure that will be his defense now Sheriff! Thanks for planting the seed of defense! What’s next, a human on a dare from a friend!? How concrete will your protection theory go then!! This was not “Just a Dog!!” It was someones pet!!
LJ

Prosecute this loser! If it was for protection he wouldnt have worded it how he did and wouldnt have singled out the breed!! Animal cruelty deserves punishment… He’s a child and had to learn this behavior from someone… His parents! Way to go for raising a stellar child!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Gina-Miner/753517019 Gina Miner

Prosecute him to the FULLEST….let him go and we will only hear of him later after ANOTHER deadly killing spree….It is up to the courts to charge these people and protect the people and animals in the country….
D

Google Talequah. This kid probably lives out in the country. Just background info. Not defending him. Just think you guys are being a bit ridiculous.
- CAC
  
  I grew up in the country. My brothers hunted with crossbows (still do), and I can shoot a firearm quite well. However, we were raised better than this. This is the action of a backwards, sociopath jerk. It has nothing to do with “the country”.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=724731036 Carol Thompson

he’s a loser punk who thinks he is a big man..prolly learned it from his small flanged father..he killed an animal for no reason and the shot he took looks like the dog wouldnt have died instantly..not only is he a piece of sh!t he is a terrible shot
- http://www.facebook.com/jane.staffodshire Jane Staffodshire
  
  He is such a “BIG” man he ran away with his mommy to hide. What a punk. We live in the country and have to shoot sick wildlife, etc. We STILL don’t take a crap shot, then stand there watching them suffer. The kids a jerk. Probably not too bright since he is an 18 year old High School JUNIOR.
NYPitMom

Yes. Yes he should. Not only did he obviously think he was “cute”, but from a psychological point of view he has displayed a red flag. I say prosecute, make him serve time and sentence him to court mandated therapy.
http://www.facebook.com/TammyFrancis65 Tammy Francis

He stated; “This is what happens when a Pitt shows up near my house”, NOT “This is what happens when a dog threatens my family”! His father should not enable his son by lying for him either. He should let the law handle this, be a good example to his troubled son (who obviously needs mental help), by telling the truth. This is what happens when families are sick. Get help!
mARY

The stupid sheriff is more concerned with threats than this menace to society and future serial killer. Wow. Your kids are next.
- Sweet Venom
  
  Probably because the sheriff has the education of an eighth grader. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets off with only a slap on the wrist if they all think alike when it comes to animal cruelty.
s

Inbred moron…=’
http://www.facebook.com/dennis.heidensleben Dennis Heidensleben

his statement says all!He has to be prosecuted!!!
http://www.facebook.com/erika.birk.7 Erika Birk

The problem with his claims about doing it as self-defense are, most obviously, the original post itself. The photograph and the choice of how to discuss it reveal that this was most likely done out of cruelty and for the sake of killing. The shot was not clean, and there was no apparent attempt made to finish the dog off so that it didn’t suffer. Which, might I note, is considered VERY IMPORTANT in hunting. If you have to kill an animal, you at least do so in a manner that minimizes suffering. And you most certainly don’t turn around, brag about it, and use it to essentially threaten other people.
I would not feel safe living ANYWHERE near such an individual, who shows an utter lack of compassion and an excitement at committing a violent act.
http://www.facebook.com/dennis.heidensleben Dennis Heidensleben

@bed4eced90b1c28913619c22c1a791ce:disqus :1 i am always amazed how people all over the world can feel bothered by other peoples empathy about something which is not right no matter if its about a human being or another living creature.
2:saying pitbulls are vicious is like saying black people always cheat or asian people are always stupid.its a prejudiced way of thinking.Its NEVER the race.You find assholes in every kind of human race and you find problem dogs of every kind.If a dog has a problematic behaviour its almost always created by their irresponsible owners so stop blaming the animals!
3.You are right to say nobody knows the real facts here BUT the way he commented the pic gives the strong impression that he just enjoyed killing a pitbull and annoying some pitbull-lovers.And to be honest,the story about protecting his siblings just does not fit!!!
http://www.facebook.com/kathy.cooper.3557 Kathy Cooper

PROSECUTE! I CALL BULLSHIT ON THE SIBLINGS STORY! You let him get away with this and other morons will think they can do the same!
http://profile.yahoo.com/QVB7NWWHEES7BWMUMS74WMQVAE Goldi

Animal abusers always come up with an excuse, e.g., “I was protecting my siblings.” He is full of s___. I hope he gets the maximum!
http://www.facebook.com/pitty.bull.3 Pitty Bull

This idiot makes me sick .I have seen s few pictures of him and he never smiles , thinks he is a tough guy hunter . I don’t believe in death threats , but I would love to meet him and let him throw the first punch , so I could throw the next twenty , gutless puke .
Dogboy

Sorry, put an arrow through this kids neck. There is no justice for animals under the law regardless of the situation or circumstances; people kill animals left right and center and rarely do you hear of anyone getting more than a fine or a few days in jail. Let that punk around my yard, I’ll show him what happens to rednecks when they come on my property.
micro OP

This child might be a psychopath and needs to be prosecuted. That said people really need to be responsible and protect and care for their dogs. If this dog has an owner, shame on them (but not nearly even close to shame on this boy!)
http://www.facebook.com/greg.wgnr Greg Wagner

I sure would be strangling the kid if I knew where he was. If you see him, punch him in the face for me a couple hundred times!!
snowbird04

Karma says he’ll get what’s coming to him. Anything posted in FB stays forever, as data mining companies collect and sell it. So when he goes for a job in the future, and a check is performed, he’ll pay his price, and thereafter. Oh, and I’m sure he’ll get the living crap kicked out of him several times.
CAC

This guy needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. There is a direct link between killing animals for fun, and killing human beings. His next victim could be a child, but he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for the sake of this dog’s suffering. What a horrible waste of human life he is!
Mary

Hurting and killing animals for fun and not for means of protection is a classic symptom of an undiagnosed psychotic disorder. What he did was terrible, and he should be checked for mental/psychotic issues. Normal people do not just harm animals for fun, or because they felt like it.
If he killed an animal (and bragged about it online), he certainly has the potentail to hurt a person. The best thing his father can do for him is to stop making excuses for him and have him checked out by a professional before he hurts another animal, or worse, a person.
http://www.facebook.com/mary.olson.73550 Mary Bishop Olson

gf course he should be prosecuted..he wasn’t in danger…he did it for a cheap sick twisted thrill..he is only sorry he got caught committing a crime..prosecute him to the fullest..would hate to see him blossom into a full time serial killer…stop him in his tracks now!