A Placer County judge has ordered a Rocklin man to stand trial for allegedly shooting and killing his 6-month-old German shepherd.
Superior Court Judge Colleen Nichols said Argene Corbett Millard, 76, must be held to answer following a preliminary hearing last week into felony charges of animal cruelty and negligent discharge of a firearm.
Millard was arrested May 25 by Rocklin police, who had responded to a phone call of shots being fired in the 5700 block of Casa Grande Avenue.
The officers discovered the dog dead in Millard's back yard, a gunshot wound to its head.
Millard was reportedly upset over the dog chewing and damaging some of his property.
Eleven other dogs – one German shepherd and 10 Chihuahuas – were found at the residence and placed in protective custody at the Placer County Animal Shelter. Three have since been released to Millard's relatives.
Four members of the Rocklin Police Department testified during the Aug. 6 preliminary hearing in an Auburn courtroom, prosecutor Carl Mayhew said.
Nichols denied a motion by Millard's attorney, Jess Bedore, to have the two felony charges reduced to misdemeanors, Mayhew said.
Bedore cited Millard's record as a retired military man and correctional officer, Mayhew said.
Millard, who is free on bail, was ordered to return to court for a settlement conference on Aug. 26.
Call The Bee's Art Campos, (916) 773-2825.
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