Man charged in dog shooting
Tillie Fong, Rocky Mountain News
Published August 22, 2007 at midnight
A Conifer man has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty after he allegedly shot the family dog for stealing food from his plate.
The dog, named Lucky, is expected to make a full recovery.
Devin Shane Calhoun, 35, was arrested Aug. 12 and released on $2,000 bail on Aug. 16.
He has been charged with one count of aggravated animal cruelty and one count of prohibited use of a weapon. If convicted, he could face up to 18 months in prison on the animal cruelty charge.
Calhoun's wife told investigators she saw Lucky eat off her husband's plate while he was outside their home in the 12000 block of South Ridge Road, according to the arrest affidavit.
Their son put Lucky in a kennel inside the house and went to tell Calhoun about the dog, according to the affidavit.
Calhoun reportedly led the dog to a meadow near the house. His wife said she "heard one gunshot and the dog whine for a little bit."
A Jefferson County sheriff's deputy called to the home noted that Calhoun had "bloodshot, watery eyes, an odor of an alcohol beverage on his breath and numerous empty beer bottles around him."
The deputy reported asking Calhoun why he shot his dog, and his reply was "because he ate my food."
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