Man charged with shooting Sydney dog

A Sydney man has been charged with shooting a small dog in the spine, lung and ribs.

Four projectiles were discovered inside a 10-year-old Pomeranian named BJ after it was rushed to the vet by its distressed owners who thought he'd been bitten by a snake on December 19.

Several firearms including an air rifle were soon seized from a Cecil Park property, with a 66-year-old man due to face court in February charged with gun and animal cruelty offences.

Police were originally told the projectiles could not be removed without the animal dying, but after receiving treatment, BJ is recovering at home with his owners.