An East Moline man faces criminal charges after he allegedly shot and killed a dog and then dumped the animal’s body in a creek near Aledo.
Police said an Australian Shepherd-mix dog got loose from a tie-out chain at a home in the 2000 block of 6th Street Court.
The dog reportedly charged Michael Coulter, 44, and his dogs at Coulter’s East Moline home, about a block from where the dog got loose. Coulter’s dogs fought with the loose dog.
Police said Coulter was about 140 feet from the loose dog when he used a 12-gauge shotgun to fire a single shot at the animal near the intersection of 21st Avenue and 6th Street Court. The dog’s owner told police she heard the gunshot at about 11:30 p.m. Thursday, February 14, 2013.
The dog died instantly.
Police said Coulter then took the dog’s body to Mercer County where he allegedly dumped it in a creek outside of Aledo. Police said they found the dog’s body and returned it to the owner.
Police said Coulter was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and reckless discharge of a firearm.