Dog shot to death
Crows Nest, QLD (AU)Incident Date: Monday, Nov 17, 2008
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Michael Kingsley Stark
An annoyed Crows Nest man took the law into his own hands and shot his neighbour's barking dog, Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard yesterday (Nov 20, 2008).
Michael Kingsley Stark, 51, appeared in custody after police claimed he shot and killed the dog on Monday in Crows Nest.
Solicitor David Burns (David Burns Lawyers) said his client, as well as the neighbourhood, had been disturbed by the dog which was a ferocious bull-terrier.
Mr Burns said that according to his client, the owner had gone away and left the dog tethered. The dog had continued to "bark and scream" as it was left in the recent rainy weather.
Mr Burns said Stark had even tried to contact the RSPCA about the dog before taking matters into his own hands.
Stark appeared on eight charges including entering a dwelling with intent while armed, injuring an animal, animal cruelty, possession of a weapon, discharging a weapon on a private property and possession of explosives.
Mr Burns applied for bail on behalf on Stark.
However, prosecutor Sergeant Tony Costa said Stark was an unacceptable risk with significant criminal history.
Sgt Costa said the incident involved Stark shooting the dog and taking the carcass to the dump.
Stark had even showed the dead dog to the attendant at the dump.
Sgt Costa said there was concern with Stark coming into contact with witnesses to the incident and that police believed Stark had more weapons hidden away after spent cartridges were found on his property.
Mr Burns said Stark had thrown away the 22-calibre weapon used in the incident because he had obtained it from a friend and didn't want to get him into trouble.
Stark had told Mr Burns that the weapon was dumped into the Valley of Diamonds section of Crows Nest Falls National Park.
Magistrate Kay Ryan denied bail.
Stark's matters were held over to December 4. References |
