GOLDEN, Colo.—A Lakewood man convicted of fatally shooting a neighbor’s dog has been sentenced to probation and ordered to enroll in anger management classes.
Fifty-one-year-old Ryan Hayes was sentenced Monday in Jefferson County District Court.
In February, a jury convicted him of four misdemeanors—one count of animal cruelty, two counts of reckless endangerment and one count of prohibited use of a weapon, under the influence.
Hayes was sentenced to two years probation on each count, to be served concurrently. He also was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and undergo substance abuse treatment.
Prosecutors say Hayes was drunk on the evening of July 3, 2008, when he shot the 18-month-old Jack Russell terrier as the dog visited Hayes’ home with its owner.
Prosecutors say the trajectory of the gunshot was consistent with Hayes standing over the dog and firing into its snout and chest.
