A 49-year-old Kent man pleaded not guilty Thursday to first-degree animal cruelty for allegedly shooting a neighbor’s dachshund in the leg with a pellet gun for reportedly “crapping” on his property.
Steven William Cole entered the plea at King County Superior Court at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. If convicted as charged for the Class C felony, Cole could receive a sentence of up to one year.
Cole is scheduled to return to court June 4 when a trial date could be set or attorneys could ask for more time to prepare the case.
Cole, who works in the maintenance department of the Kent School District, was charged May 14 after an investigation of the March 31 incident by a Regional Animal Services of King County officer.
The incident occurred in the 29800 block of 159th Lane Southeast in unincorporated Kent, south of Covington. The dog was treated for a leg injury at the Sumner Animal Hospital.
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