Dog shot for chewing newspaper
Bruceville, TX (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Apr 16, 2007
County: Robertson

Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Kenneth Lynn Smith

A Bruceville man who shot a big, white dog named Bella last year because he was tired of the dog chewing up his newspaper has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges.

Smith, a former copy machine repairman, pleaded guilty to shooting a dog behind his house on Archie Lane in Bruceville in April 2007. Witnesses told police that they heard his son ask him if he shot the dog and he reportedly said, "Hell, yeah. I'm tired of him getting my paper."

A neighbor told Bruceville police that he had adopted the dog as a stray, adding that his family "had taken the dog into their hearts," according to reports filed in the case.

Prosecutors recommended last week that Smith be placed on deferred adjudication probation for five years and be fined $1,000. Judge Matt Johnson of Waco's 54th State District Court will sentence him Sept. 10 after reviewing a report compiled by probation officers.

"Mr. Smith made a mistake and has asked the judge to put him on probation," Goble said.

References

• Waco Tribune - July 20, 2008

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