Former THE PRACTICE star James Spader has given up his gun-shooting hobby because his pet dog is afraid of big bangs.

The actor noticed his pooch was terrified every time he took him on shooting expeditions, and so he was forced to hang up his impressive gun collection.

He says, "Shooting the gun in the backyard or backwoods seemed like a terrible thing to do because the dog always came with us."

Spader's decision to give up his guns is good news for America's squirrel population.

He explains, "I shot a couple of squirrels, skinned them and ate them.

"I really had more of an interest in drying the skins out and seeing if I could make a hat out of them."

08/04/2005 09:23