Dover Twp. man charged with killing neighbor's dog Porter Pickles after it attacked kitten

A Dover Township man has been charged with fatally shooting a neighbor's dog that reportedly was attacking a barn cat earlier this year.

Dean E. Smith, 71, of the 4500 block of West Canal Road, has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals — causing serious bodily injury or death — in the demise of a 2-year-old Akita named Porter Kirkpatrick.

Smith was released on his own recognizance, according to online court records.

Northern York County Regional Police investigated the case earlier this year but said no charges would be filed. The owner of the dog disputed a police report at the time, saying her dog did not harass or kill cats and that other details were also incorrect.

PennLive reported that the owner, April Kirkpatrick, reached out to the York County District Attorney's Office about the case.

The York County Detective Bureau filed the single charge against Smith last week, alleging that Smith continued to shoot the dog after it had let go of the kitten.

Man told detective he fired five shots at the dog: affidavit

The fatal shooting happened on Jan. 22. The wounded dog was found later in the area as he attempted to walk back to his home, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Porter died at an emergency veterinary clinic, and a report indicated he suffered multiple gunshots.

Smith told a detective in April that he fired his Smith and Wesson .357 magnum five times at the dog, the affidavit states.

"The moment I pull that trigger on him, I have to kill him," the affidavit alleges Smith said to the detective. "Do you know what kind of legal lawsuits would pending if he gets back and he's bleeding to death and hurting and screaming?

"I just know if he got back home there's going to be a legal battle," the affidavit alleges he said.

The York County District Attorney's Office does not comment on pending investigations or prosecutions, according to a spokesman.

Smith's attorney, Richard Robinson, could not be reached for comment.

Smith faces a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. Sept. 5, according to online court records.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Dover Twp. man charged with killing neighbor's dog Porter Pickles after it attacked kitten