Attorneys/Judges
| Defense(s): | Steven F. Fairlie | | Judge(s): | Robert E. Gaffney |
Dog, child shot with pellet gun
Perkasie, PA (US)Incident Date: Sunday, Jun 26, 2011
County: Bucks
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: James Benjamin Landis
Police have arrested a man after they said he shot a dog and an 11-year-old child with a pellet gun.
Police in Hilltown Township, Bucks County, said they arrested 36-year-old James "Ben" Landis on Sunday.
According to police, on June 26 residents in the 1000 block of Rickert Road left their dog, Binky, outside in an electric fence while they ran out. When they returned, they said they found Binky bleeding from his left side and unable to climb the stairs into the house.
They told police that at first they believed that he was attacked by another animal and they took him to the vet for treatment.
A few days later, on the 29th, the 11-year-old son of a family friend was visiting and riding an ATV in their back yard. Police said the boy felt something hit the back of his head, just under the helmet, and he started to bleed. At first the family believed it was a rock that was kicked up and struck the boy in the head.
Then, two days later, police said the family got a note that said "there is a law against operating ATV'S in Hilltown Township" and to "shut your yappy dog up." They told police that they believed Landis, their neighbor, wrote the note.
About a week later, on July 6, the family noticed that Binky was not improving, so they took him to the vet again. The vet took X-rays, which revealed that the dog had been shot with a pellet gun, and the pellet was still lodged in there.
The family notified their family friend who had the boy checked out. Doctors discovered he had also been shot by a pellet gun, and the pellet was still in there. The boy needed surgery to remove the pellet.
Two days later police met with the residents and checked out the area where the boy was shot. They determined that it appeared the pellet was shot from the direction of Landis' house.
About a week later, according to police, they went and questioned Landis. While at his home, before questioning him, they saw numerous pellets that were identical to the ones that hit Binky and the boy. Landis denied any involvement.
Then, ten days later on July 24, police met with Landis and his attorney. Landis confessed to shooting both the dog and boy. He then turned the pellet gun over to police.
Landis has been charged with simple assault of a child under 12 years and cruelty to animals. Both are misdemeanors.
Landis, who was released on $25,000 unsecured bail, is scheduled to have his preliminary hearing on Sept. 25 before New Britain District Judge Robert E. Gaffney. References |
