California labrador is shot dead by neighbor after it ran into his backyard while chasing a squirrel

A California family is grieving their beloved eight-year-old labrador who was killed by a neighbor for running into his yard to chase a squirrel. 

Marlon Caballero detailed the horrifying ordeal of how his next-door neighbor in Pomona shot their family dog, Canine, nine times, even as he pleaded to save the animal. 

The neighbor, whose name has not been released publicly, is facing charges of animal cruelty and discharging a firearm in a public area, according to Fox LA. 

In a recent interview, Caballero said Canine had been playing on their property November 27 when the beloved family pet began chasing a squirrel around 1pm. 

The animal ended up accidentally jumping over a fence into the neighbor's yard, according to the owner - and that's when things took a violent turn. 

Eight-year-old Canine was shot and killed by a neighbor in Pomona, California last week 

Marlon Caballero, 44, broke down in tears while speaking with local media about the death of his family's beloved pet, who was shot nine times by a neighbor

The dog had accidentally jumped over a fence and into the neighbor's yard while chasing a squirrel 

The dog may have been unfamiliar with the landscape as the family had just moved into the neighborhood weeks before. 

'I go to the neighbor's fence and call my labrador to come over. I go from one side of the fence to the other side of the fence all of a sudden I hear three gunshots,' Caballero wrote in a Nextdoor post. 

He said when he looked over the top of the fence, he saw his neighbor holding a gun and his labrador wounded.  

After hearing the first several shots ring out, Caballero said he begged the neighbor to release the dog so he could get help. The neighbor refused. 

'I'm pleading with the neighbor, "Hey, please give me my dog, let me have my dog. I can save him if you give me my dog,"' Caballero told the local outlet. 

Caballero said he immediately ran into his house to call 911 and that's when he heard additional gunshots. 

The man said after he came back outside, he heard at least six additional rounds. 

Canine (seen here lying down) may have been unfamiliar with the landscape as his family just moved into their new home several weeks ago 

The neighbor reportedly shot the dog three times before Caballero began begging to retrieve him from the yard. The neighbor refused and Caballero said he continued to fire rounds 

'He goes to the back of his yard and basically unloads another at least six rounds from the revolver that I saw that he had,' the pet owner said. 

'And from right there it just broke my heart. Just how could somebody do that to [a] dog,' he continued. 

Caballero said in his post he continued to beg to see his dog even after the additional rounds were fired. He said he could still hear his 'best friend' whimpering. 

The neighbor allegedly told Caballero: 'No, your dog is already dead.' 

To make matters worse, Caballero said he and his family had chosen their new home 'solely' so their dog could have more space.  

'I bought this property solely for my doggy, to run around freely. For this to happen it's unimaginable,' Caballero told Fox LA. 

The neighbor allegedly told Caballero: 'no, your dog is already dead'

'I bought this property solely for my doggy, to run around freely. For this to happen it's unimaginable,' Caballero said 

The devastated family said they have since filed a restraining order against the neighbor and got the police involved in the situation - who later charged him. 

'It's tough, I can't even sleep at night just thinking any little noise that I hear outside,' Caballero said of the fear his family feels over their neighbor being armed and 'dangerous.' 

DailyMail.com reached out to law enforcement officials in Pomona but did not receive a response by the time of publication. 

Still, the family is grieving their animal who played a major role in their lives. 

'He's gone,' said Amanda Caballero, choking back sobs during an interview. 

'My heart was turned into a million pieces. How can anyone be so cruel' Caballero wrote.

'He's gone,' said Amanda Caballero, choking back sobs during an interview 

'My heart was turned into a million pieces. How can anyone be so cruel'

The family told the Southern California outlet they have since filed a restraining order against the neighbor