A heated dispute between two men at a SkyTrain Station in Burnaby culiminated with one man being arrested for allegedly shooting a dog.

Around 8:20 a.m. on January 15, two men got into an argument about the sale of a cellphone in the Metrotown SkyTrain Station area, where they had been known to panhandle together.

At one point during the argument, one man allegedly pulled a pistol-style BB-gun from his jacket and threatened to shoot the dog if he wasn't given the cellphone.

The suspect allegedly shot the dog in the front paw, causing bleeding. The dog is expected to recover from minor injuries.  

Metro Vancouver Transit Police officers in the area heard the argument and arrested the suspect, who had a black Sig Sauer pistol BB gun.

William Michael Ayers, who is 28 years old, of no fixed address and known to police, has been charged with injuring a dog, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and carrying a concealed weapon.

He was released under the condition of keeping the peace and maintaining good behaviour, avoiding contact with the victim, staying away from the Metrotown mall area, and not possessing weapons (including knives).

His next court appearance is on February 6 at Vancouver Provincial Court.