Texas: FBI Agent Lovett Leslie Ledger Jr. accused of killing his neighbor's Chihuahua "Sassy"

TEXAS --Local FBI agent Lovett Leslie Ledger was indicted by the McLennan County grand jury this morning on a cruelty to animals charge, a state jail felony, in the killing of a Chihuahua in his neighborhood.

Ledger, 39, allegedly shot the dog, named Sassy, with a pump pellet gun in front of his home near Lorena on Feb. 29.

If convicted of a state jail felony, Ledger faces 180 days to two years in a state jail and a fine of up to $10,000.

Five witnesses testified before the grand jury, including Ledger and his wife, Jacqueline. Les Ledger testified for about 25 minutes; his wife for 10.

Grand jurors also heard from the dog’s owner, Jason Davis, and McLennan County Sheriff’s Lt. Clay Perry.

Ledger’s attorney, Rob Swanton, declined to comment after hearing of the indictment. Prosecutor Crawford Long also declined comment.

In a previous story in the Tribune-Herald, a neighbor who said she was home the afternoon of the incident said she heard her dogs barking and went outside to see Sassy walking on Estes Road.

The dog lurched to one side upon being shot, then rolled into a yard, where she died, the neighbor said.

The neighbor also said she saw Ledger lower the pellet gun and walk inside his home with one of his children. A group of people gathered around the dog, and the neighbor said she could see a hole in Sassy’s neck above her pink rhinestone collar.

Ledger told witnesses that he shot dog with BB gun and must have pumped it too many times. When asked if he shot the dog, Ledger told two people involved in the investigation that he knew nothing. He later said he did in fact shoot the dog.

The FBI has confirmed to News Channel 25 on Thursday night that one of it's agents based in Waco was being investigated by the McLennan County Sheriff's Office on possible animal cruelty charges.
FBI Agent Erik Vasys says that agency is cooperating fully with sheriff's investigators.

(KXXV - July 9, 2008)