I was a dog trainer before. Punishing only works if you catch him in the act. otherwise he won't associate the scolding with the thing he chewed up hours before.
The problem isn't the pooch. It's the owner for not running the shit outta that dog to get him chilled out. If you're gonna be a couch bum, don't own a big ass dog.
So neither punish or forgive. Slap that idiot owner upside the head for not properly training the dog. At least get him a chew toy.