Survivor Winner Brian Heidik Arrested for Shooting Puppy  7/7/06

Brian Heidik, the $1 million winner of 2002's fifth season of US reality show Survivor, was arrested on Wednesday (05JUL06) after allegedly shooting a puppy with an arrow.

The 38-year-old was arrested in Douglasville, Georgia and was charged with battery and cruelty to animals and then released on bail.

During the pre-trial bond hearing, Heidik told a judge he'd thought the dog was a coyote which had been harassing his pets.

Douglas County Chief Deputy Stan Copeland, however, said it was indeed a puppy.

Copeland explains, "At about 3am, his wife called to report that he was outside and that he shot a puppy that was on his property with an arrow and planned to shoot another one."

When sheriff's deputies arrived, Heidik fled in his car, but was quickly apprehended.

Heidik's wife and five-year-old son were home at the time of the incident.

Copeland said there was evidence in the home to support a charge of battery for family violence, but would not elaborate on the nature of the evidence.

The wounded puppy and the second puppy were turned over to animal control officials who were trying to locate their owners.