GOLDEN, Colo.—A Lakewood man accused of shooting a neighbor’s dog to death has been convicted of animal cruelty and three other misdemeanor charges.
The Jefferson County District Court jury deliberated for about two hours Thursday before finding Ryan Hayes guilty of animal cruelty, reckless endangerment and prohibited handling of a firearm while intoxicated.
The jury rejected a felony charge of aggravated animal cruelty.
Hayes was accused of shooting the dog, “Patches,” in July 2008 during a visit to Hayes’ home with its owner, Marlys Duggan.
Hayes told jurors that the dog was batting his loaded revolver around on the floor when he grabbed the gun and it went off.
Defense attorney Walter Gerash (guh-RASH’) says Hayes was horrified after the shooting, and that Hayes had a tender relationship with the dog.
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Information from: Rocky Mountain News,
