CO: Man convicted of shooting dog

[seamusTX]

A Colorado man was convicted of shooting a neighbor's dog.

His defense was that the dog snatched his ".357 pistol" and shot itself while he was trying to recover the weapon.

The entry wound was between the dog's eyes.

He was found guilty of animal cruelty, reckless endangerment, and prohibited handling of a firearm while intoxicated.

The jury rejected a felony charge of aggravated animal cruelty.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/18 ... etail.html#-" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[flintknapper]

I thought maybe Jeff “Chili” Alexander had moved to Colorado, but it was not the case.

Another "bogus" shoot IMO.

[roberts]

I wasn't aware that dogs had opposable thumbs.

How do Dogs play with a ball or pick up a downed duck without opposable thumbs?

[Oldgringo]

...and prohibited handling of a firearm while intoxicated...

Drinking and shooting and shooting and drinking ain't recommended procedure.

[KRM45]

Wow a suicidal dog...

[The Annoyed Man]

I wasn't aware that dogs had opposable thumbs.

...or booger hooks, for that matter...

[Fangs]

Out of curiosity, how is this animal cruelty? I doubt that a shot to the skull between the eyes left much for a "cruel" death. I can see the other charges, this one just has me wondering though. I mean, if he cut off its tail one bit at a time it would make sense, just seems it was pretty straight-forward.

[KD5NRH]

I thought maybe Jeff “Chili” Alexander had moved to Colorado, but it was not the case.

Nope; he's still across the street. (And I still keep forgetting to ask him what he carries off duty, and whether he's changed since that incident.)

[seamusTX]

Out of curiosity, how is this animal cruelty?

Most states, including Texas, define animal cruelty by statute as killing an animal without the consent of its owner. In most states, again including Texas, it is a felony.

This is a measure that PeTA and HSUS have quietly installed over the years.

The Texas law is PC 42.092.

- Jim

[flintknapper]

I thought maybe Jeff “Chili” Alexander had moved to Colorado, but it was not the case.

Nope; he's still across the street. (And I still keep forgetting to ask him what he carries off duty, and whether he's changed since that incident.)

No need to bother with it at this point. That incident...and one even worse in nearby Dublin were quickly swept under the rug. Such is the way things often go when LEO "investigate" their own.

Bogus shoot IMO.

[Fangs]

Out of curiosity, how is this animal cruelty?

Most states, including Texas, define animal cruelty by statute as killing an animal without the consent of its owner. In most states, again including Texas, it is a felony.

This is a measure that PeTA and HSUS have quietly installed over the years.

The Texas law is PC 42.092.

- Jim

Reason #237 why I love this forum. Thanks, my friend recently had someone threaten to kill his dog and it's been hiding out at my house. It's nice to hear about that being a felony, might deter the guy.

[Target1911]

Out of curiosity, how is this animal cruelty?

Most states, including Texas, define animal cruelty by statute as killing an animal without the consent of its owner. In most states, again including Texas, it is a felony.

This is a measure that PeTA and HSUS have quietly installed over the years.

The Texas law is PC 42.092.

- Jim

Reason #237 why I love this forum. Thanks, my friend recently had someone threaten to kill his dog and it's been hiding out at my house. It's nice to hear about that being a felony, might deter the guy.

That is ONLY if he cares.......

[Captain Matt]

There are also a lot of defenses to prosecution. A property owner can kill a dog on his property under a wide range of circumstances. Animal control can shoot dogs running loose.