Man Charged With Cruelty for Shooting Dog Relieving Itself on His Property

A Vader man is charged with animal cruelty after allegedly non-fatally shooting his neighbor’s dog as it relieved itself on his property, prompting the dog’s owner, responding to the sound of the gunshot, to fire a warning shot in response.

Bobby R. Bagley, 60, was charged with a single count of first-degree animal cruelty for the alleged incident on Sept. 26. He appeared out of custody in Lewis County Superior Court for a preliminary appearance and arraignment hearing Tuesday afternoon.

According to court documents, a Lewis County deputy responded to a residence on Brim Creek Road in Vader after a caller advised his neighbor, Bagley, shot his dog.

The deputy spoke with Bagley who, documents indicate, noted he had problems in the past with animals on his property. When he saw the neighbor’s hound “beginning to go to the bathroom on his property he took his .22 caliber rifle, loaded it with ‘rat shot’ and shot the dog in the behind,” court documents read.

Bagley allegedly told the deputy the dog wasn’t being aggressive and that he “didn’t see any alternative to the matter.”

After the dog went running, Bagley said, he heard his neighbor yell and a gunshot — although he didn’t believe the shot was aimed in his direction.

The dog’s owner said he was outside at the time, talking to a Dish Network employee, when he heard a gunshot ring from across the street and his dog come running. Unsure what was happening, the man said he grabbed a gun from his truck’s center console and fired a round over some trees, toward private property he partially owns.

Bagley was placed on a $10,000 unsecured bond in court Tuesday, meaning he will remain out of custody as long as he shows up to future hearings. Deputy Prosecutor Amber Caulfield said he has no prior criminal history. Bagley’s defense attorney, Shane O’Rourke, asked Judge James Lawler to hold an arraignment hearing immediately after his preliminary appearance. The two hearings are typically held on separate days.

During the arraignment, Bagley pleaded not guilty, and a jury trial was set for March 4, 2019.