A 21-year-old Suffolk man is behind bars Tuesday after allegedly shooting a pit bull to death.

According to police, an altercation between Lavaris D. Jones, of the 100 block of Charlotte Avenue, and the dog’s owner in the 300 block of Hunter Street led to the animal’s death.

As of late Tuesday, medical examiners were still determining how many

wounds the dog sustained. The pit bull died at the scene.

Jones is facing charges of animal cruelty, reckless handling of a firearm, discharging a firearm within 100 feet of a roadway and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, said Lt. Debbie George, Suffolk Police spokeswoman.

Jones is being held in the Western Tidewater Regional Jail with no bond.

luefras.robinson@suffolknewsherald.com