Associated Press - November 15, 2009 7:14 PM ET
SANDPOINT, Idaho (AP) - A Bonner County man is fighting allegations he shot and killed a neighbor's Pomeranian because it was barking at his dog.
Richard A. Sutherland is charged with misdemeanor cruelty to animals. Sutherland's attorney entered a written plea of not guilty in 1st District magistrate court.
Sutherland is awaiting a jury trial, the Bonner Daily Bee reported over the weekend.
The 39-year-old was cited late last month.
That's after the neighbor says he heard a gunshot, then found Sutherland standing over the dead Pomeranian.
According to police reports, Sutherland initially told the neighbor he didn't shoot the dog, but offered to pay him $300 on the condition he not seek charges.
Sutherland also told a Bonner County sheriff's deputy he didn't shoot the dog, and maintains he only agreed to pay the money to keep authorities out of the matter.
Information from: Bonner Daily Bee, http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com
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