Dog fatally shot Warner Robins, GA (US) Incident Date: Thursday, Feb 19, 2004 County: Houston Local Map: available Disposition: Convicted Abuser/Suspect: Walter L. Graham

Case ID: 2455 Classification: Shooting Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in GA (US) Login to Watch this Case

Walter Graham has been banished from Houston County after shooting and killing his neighbor's dog.

Walter Graham, 75, pleaded guilty in Houston County Superior Court to aggravated cruelty to animals, tampering with evidence and aggravated stalking, said George Hartwig, assistant district attorney for Houston County.

All of the charges are felonies, Hartwig said. He said he did not know why Graham shot the dog.

Senior Judge L.A. "Buster" McConnell Jr. sentenced Graham to 10 years in jail to serve 60 days, with credit for time served. The judge banished him from the county for the period of his probation of 10 years.

Feb. 19, 2004 Graham went into his next-door neighbor's walled-in backyard and shot the family dog.

A neighbor heard the gunshot and looked out the window to see Graham dragging the limp dog out of the yard and into the back of his truck. Graham then took the dog and threw it in a lake.

After police found splattered blood in the yard and a trail of blood through the yard, Graham was arrested. Graham was released on bond pending his court date, but picked up by police again on March 31 after he was seen back in the neighbor's yard.

Graham was held without bond until his court date and received credit for time served, which equaled the 60 days of his sentence. His banishment took effect immediately and he will live with relatives in another county.

McConnell also ordered Graham to pay $500 in court fines and fees, serve four hours of community service, preferably at an animal shelter if his health allows, and pay $800 in restitution to the family for the dog. Graham also was ordered to receive anger-management training and undergo alcohol counseling.

Upon successful completion of his probation, Graham may have the felonies removed from his record under the state's first offender law.

Also, his 10-year probationary period may be reduced to five years for good behavior, Hartwig said. Once he successfully completes his probation, he may return to Houston County.

The stiff penalty for Graham's actions was made possible after recent changes in Georgia law that made aggravated animal cruelty a felony. He said the DA's office plans to aggressively pursue such cases.

The punishment is appropriate for Graham's actions, giving him an opportunity for counseling while also protecting his neighbors, said George Hartwig, assistant district attorney for Houston County.

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