02-19-2009, 03:00 PM
GOLDEN, Colo. -- A Lakewood, Colo. man claims a Jack Russell terrier shot itself in the head while playing with a loaded gun on the floor.
Ryan Hayes is on trial for aggravated animal cruelty, reckless endangerment and prohibited use of a weapon while drunk.
Hayes said the .357-caliber pistol fired as he tried to get it away from his neighbor's dog, Patches.
A neighbor said she was visiting Hayes with her dog when the shooting occurred.
According to Marlys Duggan, Hayes had been drinking on the day of the shooting.
Duggan said Hayes stopped at the refrigerator for another beer before going to his room with Patches following. The next thing she heard was a loud boom.
She found her dog on the floor of the bedroom, with a gunshot wound to the head.
An animal control officer testified that Hayes gave several different versions of what happened. The first version was hat he didn't know happened and another was that the gun discharged while the dog played with it on the bedroom floor.
Another version given was that Hayes was holding the gun when the dog ran into the bedroom. The gun discharged as he turned toward the dog.
The three-day trial is being held in Golden.
Ryan Hayes is on trial for aggravated animal cruelty, reckless endangerment and prohibited use of a weapon while drunk.
Hayes said the .357-caliber pistol fired as he tried to get it away from his neighbor's dog, Patches.
A neighbor said she was visiting Hayes with her dog when the shooting occurred.
According to Marlys Duggan, Hayes had been drinking on the day of the shooting.
Duggan said Hayes stopped at the refrigerator for another beer before going to his room with Patches following. The next thing she heard was a loud boom.
She found her dog on the floor of the bedroom, with a gunshot wound to the head.
An animal control officer testified that Hayes gave several different versions of what happened. The first version was hat he didn't know happened and another was that the gun discharged while the dog played with it on the bedroom floor.
Another version given was that Hayes was holding the gun when the dog ran into the bedroom. The gun discharged as he turned toward the dog.
The three-day trial is being held in Golden.
