A Massachusetts couple is mourning the death of their dog, a golden retriever named Walle, after it was shot and killed by a neighbor.

Krissy Dashner and Pate Bates let their two dogs out on their nine-acre property in Lakeville, Massachusetts, Sunday night, but only one returned. The dogs ran off into the woods and the couple began to look for them. After an hour of searching, they heard five gunshots.

Their neighbor, Mark Vasseur, admitted to shooting the dog, saying he heard a commotion outside near his chickens.

“I grabbed my gun before I went out,” said Vasseur to WBZ, a CBS News affiliate in Boston. “I have a lot of problems with coyotes and fisher cats, and raccoons and stuff getting my chickens.”

Vasseur said he was afraid of getting bitten by the dog.

“He just attacked us and there was nothing I could do. It happened so quick. He showed his teeth and was growling,” Vasseur said. “I had no choice. I had to shoot the dog because I’m not going to get bit.”

The other dog, a German shepherd named Zeke ran home.

“I can't imagine why you would ever shoot Walle or any dog. Just call animal control,” Dashner said to WFXT, a Dedham, Massachusetts, based Fox News affiliate.

Vasseur told WFXT that he didn’t regret his actions.

“I tried to spook them, the retriever turned and charged at me. I had no choice but to shoot him, it was self-defense,” Vasseur told WFT. “It was either get bit by the dog or shoot him. I'm an animal lover, I love dogs, I would never shoot a dog unjustly.”

Police are investigating the matter.

Dashner also spoke to WCVB, a Needham, Massachusetts, based ABC News affiliate.

“Do you know that you've changed our lives completely? We had a whole family and expected to raise the dogs with our son...and now we can't," she said.

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