A winner of the popular reality show “Survivor” was arrested Wednesday after allegedly shooting a puppy with an arrow.
Brian Heidik, 38, was released on bond after being charged with battery and cruelty to animals.
During the bond hearing in Douglas County Magistrate Court, Heidik told a judge he thought the dog was a coyote that has been harassing his pets, WSB-TV reported on its Web site.
Douglas County Chief Deputy Stan Copeland said it was a puppy.
“At about 3 a.m., his wife called to report that he was outside and that he had shot a puppy that was on his property with an arrow and planned to shoot another one,” Copeland said.
When sheriff’s deputies arrived, Heidik — who won “Survivor: Thailand” in 2002 — fled in his car but was quickly caught and taken back to the home where the incident occurred.
Heidik’s wife, Charmaine, and 5-year-old son were present at the home at the time of the incident, Copeland said.
Copeland said there was evidence in the home to support a charge of battery for family violence. Because the case is pending, he could not elaborate on the nature of the evidence.
Both the wounded puppy and the second puppy were turned over to animal control officials to determine who they belonged to.
Heidik did not immediately respond to a a message from The Associated Press left on an answering machine at one of two phones listed in his name in Douglasville, which is 21 miles west of Atlanta. There was no answer Wednesday afternoon at the second number.
Heidik is a former North Carolina State football player, used-car salesman and part-time actor.