Animal Abuse: 55 dogs shot to death, 10 left alive - Joliet, MT

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Case ID: 18276

Classification: Shooting

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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55 dogs shot to death, 10 left alive
Joliet, MT (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Jul 21, 2011
County: Carbon

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

Alleged: Peter Clifton Northcutt

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

A Carbon County man is hospitalized after an armed standoff with law enforcement between Joliet and Fromberg Thursday evening.

According to charging documents, Carbon County Sheriff's Sgt. Jeff Schmalz was making a welfare check at the residence of Peter Northcutt around 5 p.m.

The affidavit states that Northcutt reportedly pointed a shotgun at Sgt. Schmalz and warned him, "you don't want any part of this, get out of here." Sgt. Schmalz got back into his vehicle, backed up 400 yards, and called for backup. When the backup officer arrived, Northcutt is said to have shot at the deputies two times. The deputies were not injured and did not return fire.

According to the affidavit, during the standoff, Northcutt could be seen walking in the dog kennels on his property, where he is said to have then shot approximately 55 of his dogs. After he shot the dogs he moved their bodies into star type formations and patterns. 10 dogs were left alive. The dogs have reportedly been referred to as his "whole life."

The standoff lasted several hours.

The court documents state after the dogs were killed the defendant laid down amongst the formation and became unresponsive.

Northcutt reportedly attempted suicide and was transported to Billings Clinic for medical attention.

He faces three felony charges. Two charges of assault on a peace officer and one charge of aggravated animal cruelty.

Case Updates

A Joliet man accused of shooting at law officers before killing 55 dogs and attempting suicide has been released from a Billings hospital.

Peter Clifton Northcutt, 50, was booked into the Yellowstone County Detention Facility on Thursday following his release from Billings Clinic.

Northcutt is being held on a $100,000 bond set on an arrest warrant issued by Carbon County District Judge Blair Jones.

Northcutt is expected to be arraigned Aug. 11 on two counts of felony assault on a peace officer and one count of aggravated animal cruelty, Carbon County Attorney Alex Nixon said Friday.

Source: billingsgazette.com - Jul 29, 2011
Update posted on Jul 30, 2011 - 12:32PM

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Last Thursday night, more than 50 sled dogs were killed at the Nicaya Kennel in Joliet when their trainer, and operator of the kennel, shot them before attempting suicide.

Peter Northcutt is currently being treated at the Billings Clinic, and will make a court appearance on two charges of assault on a peace officer and one charge of aggravated animal cruelty.

Northcutt's family has closed the kennel, and asked dog handler Timber Venard to take charge in finding the 10 remaining dogs which were not shot in the tragedy homes.

So far, Venard says he has placed all but 2 of the Siberian Huskies in a home.

If you are interested in adopting one of the dogs, you can reach Venard at [email protected] .

However, Venard would like to remind those interested that the dogs will need extra care due to recent events, and that they will need to be trained to be house pets, as they are currently trained as sled dogs.

Venard is confident that the dogs would make great pets, as they are young and have responded well to recent events.

Venard also asks for those who would like to help the dogs send their donations to the Laurel East Pet Hospital.

Their address is 1310 Allendale Road, Laurel, MT 59044-8716 and their phone number is (406) 628-4683. ‎

Source: ktvq.com - Jul 25, 2011
Update posted on Jul 25, 2011 - 9:46PM

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References

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55 dogs shot to death, 10 left aliveJoliet, MT (US)

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55 dogs shot to death, 10 left alive
Joliet, MT (US)