Dog shot in owner's fenced in yard
Bozeman, MT (US)

Incident Date: Monday, May 2, 2011
County: Park

Charges: Felony CTA, Felony Non-CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Shawn Andrew Salveson

Park County authorities have issued a warrant for the arrest of an area man accused of shooting his neighbor's dog.

Shawn Salveson, 41, is wanted on felony charges of attempted aggravated cruelty to animals and criminal endangerment for firing shots across Trail Creek Road, according to the criminal complaint filed last week by Park County Attorney Brett Linneweber.

Salveson has not been arrested. Bail on the warrant for his arrest is listed at $20,000, according to Park County officials.

His neighbor, Bill Buchbauer, said he let out his dog and was making breakfast May 2 when he heard two shots.

Buchbauer ran outside and found his dog, Foxy, dead on a blanket of snow near the driveway of his Trail Creek Road home. He saw Salveson drive away and immediately suspected him of shooting the dog.

Buchbauer said he and his roommate, Matt Borish, moved into the rented property last July. Salveson soon after told the roommates that he was afraid their dogs would hurt his cats and small dogs, Buchbauer said. The roommates built fences to contain their dogs, and Salveson had not complained since, Buchbauer said.

Buchbauer rescued Foxy, a shepherd-husky mix, eight years ago when she was puppy.

"She was my best companion," he said.

The dog followed him skiing in Alaska and fishing in Montana. She was friendly and good with children, and Buchbauer said he has no idea why anyone would have shot her.

"She never bit anyone - she wasn't a violent dog," he said.

Buchbauer is thankful that authorities have taken up the case.

"I know the rules out here," he said. "If your dog is chasing game or chasing stock, a rancher can shoot him - but (Foxy) was in our yard."

References

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