Man charged in dog's shooting

SANDPOINT — A Bonner County man is contesting allegations he shot and killed a neighbor’s Pomeranian because it was barking at his dog.

Richard A. Sutherland is charged with cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor. His Coeur d’Alene attorney, John Redal, has entered a written plea of not guilty.

A jury trial date is pending in magistrate court.

Sutherland, 39, was cited for the offense at his home north of Spirit Lake on Oct. 19, according to court documents.

A neighbor told a Bonner County sheriff’s deputy he was working on an outbuilding roof when he heard a gunshot and got down to investigate, a police report said. He discovered Sutherland standing over the slain dog, but saw no weapon, the report said.

The neighbor claimed Sutherland initially denied shooting the dog, but subsequently agreed to pay him $300 on the condition that criminal charges not be sought.

Sutherland denied shooting the dog when he was questioned by a Bonner County’s sheriff’s deputy, according to the police report. Sutherland told the deputy he was inside when he heard the gunshot, but agreed to pay the $300 to keep law enforcement from becoming involved in the dispute, the report said.