A man faces a preliminary hearing today on charges that he shot a coyote hunter who killed his pet dog Sunday in Fayette County.

George A. Bodnovich, 42, of Brownsville, is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and reckless endangerment. The charges stem from the shooting at about 4 p.m. Sunday of Jonathan B. Harmon.

Mr. Harmon was hunting coyote near the Hi-To Sportsman's Club in Georges when he mistook Mr. Bodnovich's pet dog, Seneca, for a coyote. The dog was wearing an orange vest.

Mr. Harmon, interviewed in a hospital room by investigators, said he did not realize until he came upon his fallen prey that he had shot a dog, according to a police affidavit.

Mr. Harmon told police that as he got closer to the animal he saw Mr. Bodnovich running toward him and firing a gun. He said he believes he was shot in the leg as he hopped on his all-terrain vehicle and tried to drive away.

Mr. Bodnovich told police he fired at Mr. Harmon when he saw him reaching for a gun after the two had confronted each other.

Mr. Bodnovich was free on $50,000 bond pending a hearing before District Judge Randy Abraham in McClellandtown.