Man charged with cruelty to animals

A 67-year-old Kearns man was charged in 3rd District Court on Monday with two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.

The charges stem from a May 20 incident in which a small dog was shot after entering the man's yard. While officials were investigating the incident, they found a robin in the yard that had been shot to death.

Later, because of injuries to the dog's internal organs, it had to be euthanized, according to court records filed Monday.

Salt Lake County Animal Services filed the initial report against the man, but the case was later transferred to the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office.

"Animal cruelty in any form is illegal and unethical," said Animal Services spokeswoman Temma Martin. "The fact that he shot this dog just because it entered his yard is disgusting."

In November 1992, the man pleaded guilty to firing a weapon within 600 feet of a house, barn or dwelling in West Jordan, according to court records. The Deseret Morning News could not reach the man for comment Monday.

The 2007 crimes, both class A misdemeanors, carry possible sentences of up to one year in jail.

"We would hope that if people have any sort of nuisance, if they do have a problem with a neighbor's pet, that they contact us and handle it in a legal and kind way," Martin said.

To contact Animal Services in the Salt Lake County area, call 801-269-7499 or visit www.animalservices.slco.org. After regular business hours, call police dispatch at 801-743-7000.

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E-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com