I imagine there are leash laws where you are at, and I'm sure the dog was tied up. I don't let my dog in the woods at all. A beagle is not the size of a deer. A hunter shot the poor pup for fun. Its not the point if he was running about.
People seem to like to shoot dogs and cats for fun.
Even when it's not hunting season. I thought you meant that the beagle was a pain. No, that isn't right. I agree whole-heartly with you. Yes, it sounds like the hunters were just plain stupid.