Probable cause: Carthage man left loaded pistol out in the open; five-year-old shoots dog with it

A Carthage man was charged with felony endangering the welfare of a child after a five-year-old child took his loaded gun and shot a dog in the chest Tuesday.

The Carthage Police Department arrested Daniel Byrd, 26, 515 S. Poplar, after receiving a call that the five-year-old had shot the dog.

From the probable cause statement:

After investigation, it was determined that Daniel Byrd resides in an upstairs bedroom in the residence which sits adjacent to the children's bedroom. Byrd's bedroom had a doorknob that is not able to be fully latched or secured in any way. 

It was found that prior to the shooting, Byrd had knowingly left his HiPoint 9mm pistol unsecured and unconcealed on his bedside table. (The child) entered the unsecured room and located the firearm. (The child) then fired one 9mm round fro the firearm, striking the dog in the chest.

Bond for Byrd was set at $2,500 cash or surety.