Charges withdrawn against man accused of shooting dog
Felony and misdemeanor charges were withdrawn against a Mount Braddock man who allegedly shot a dog he told police he thought was a coyote.
At a preliminary hearing Wednesday, charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, cruelty to animals and reckless endangerment and citations for unlawful shooting and hunting that were filed against Justin R. Hall, 18, were withdrawn. Hall pleaded guilty to two non-traffic citations for harassment and one disorderly conduct citation.
Hall, authorities alleged, shot a 4-year-old German shepherd/Collie mix dog named Wren on April 6, and then took the dog to a taxidermist to be mounted. The dog had gotten loose from its owner’s home during a storm, police said.
Hall reportedly told police he thought the animal was a coyote and shot it because it was harassing his loose chickens.
Fayette County Magisterial District Judge Nathan Henning will determine the financial penalty for the citations during a payment determination hearing June 22.