NASHVILLE — A Nashville, Illinois family is mourning the death of their family pets they say were shot dead by a Washington County Sheriff’s deputy who is also their neighbor.

Jennifer Akers says Bentley and Ella slipped their collars Sunday afternoon and allege that a few hours later they were each shot twice by their neighbor and then dumped in the nearby woods.

Deputy Craig McDaniel reportedly said he shot the dogs for chasing cattle and then dumped them in the woods. However, Akers says if the dogs had been chasing cattle, they would have been muddy and photos she has of their bodies shows that their paws are clean.

It’s unclear at this time why McDaniel dumped the dogs in the woods rather than file a complaint about the dogs chasing cattle or, as was later alleged, that they had attempted to bite the cattle.

Akers says she simply wants McDaniel to be held accountable for killing the dogs and for her 6-year-old daughter to see that her parents did everything to get justice for her pets.

The loss of Bentley and Ella has been traumatic for her daughter, says Akers, saying the dogs slept in bed with her every night.

Calls to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office seeking comment have not been returned.