An Alabama teen has been arrested after sheriff’s investigators say he killed a pregnant dog by shooting it with a crossbow.

Walker County Sheriff’s Office investigators arrested Charles Wayne Gresham, 19, and charged him with aggravated cruelty to animals.

Investigators said Gresham shot the dog on Wednesday. It was discovered by a passerby who took the dog to a veterinarian who was unable to save the dog or its unborn puppies.

Gresham reportedly admitting to shooting the dog and said he did so because it was growling at a relative.

“We take all crimes very seriously, but animal crimes are even more ridiculous than a lot of other ones,” Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith said in a written release. “We will not tolerate animal abuse of any kind, and if we catch you, we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”