Wanchese man arrested, charged in fatal shooting of dog

By Corinne Saunders

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WANCHESE — The Dare County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday arrested a Wanchese man on two charges related to his alleged fatal shooting of another person’s dog.

Britton Taylor Shackelford, 57, faces charges of felony cruelty to animals in violation of state statute and of misdemeanor discharging of firearm within 300 yards of an occupied dwelling, in violation of local ordinance, online court records show.

Shackelford is locally known as a charter boat captain who appeared on the National Geographic show, “Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks.”

Britton Taylor Shackelford (Photo courtesy Dare County Sheriff’s Office)

“Mr. Shackelford did intentionally and maliciously kill dog belonging to the victim...by shooting the animal with firearm,” the felony charging text states.

On Saturday, Nov. 8, Shackelford discharged a firearm within 300 yards of an occupied dwelling without the permission of the property owner, according to the misdemeanor charging text.

An arrest warrant was issued on Wednesday morning and was served on Thursday morning, according to court records.

While Shackelford during his first appearance hearing on Thursday morning waived his right to counsel, online court records show that he retained a private attorney in the matter.

He was released on a $7,000 secured bond on Thursday and was required to give fingerprints and a DNA sample, records show. His disposition hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18.

The Dare County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release on Thursday afternoon about Shackelford’s arrest.

Dare Central Communications received a call reporting a missing animal at 6 p.m. on Nov. 8, according to the release. Deputies and Dare County Animal Control conducted an investigation that determined Shackelford “was involved in the incident and had discharged a firearm, resulting in the death of the animal.”

The release continued: “The District Attorney’s Office was advised and consulted regarding the incident.”

Animal Control and the sheriff's office then obtained a warrant for arrest from a magistrate, the release said.

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