Despite admitting dogs he shot weren't aggressive, cruelty charges will be dismissed

TENNESSEE -- A Sumner County man has agreed to pay court fees, restitution, and make donations in exchange for charges eventually being dropped against him for shooting his neighbor’s dogs, killing one of them.

During a court hearing Friday in Gallatin, Paul Corley also made a public apology to the victims as part of the agreement.

Corley, of Hendersonville, was accused of shooting two of the Stubbs family’s dogs in May when they wandered onto his Inlet Drive property after a landscaper mistakenly let them out of a fenced-in yard.

The family’s dog Cooper was killed and another, named Blakely, was wounded. Corley reportedly called the family, who came and found their wounded pets.

 

Corley had been charged with two counts of animal cruelty, but prosecution against him for those charges has been placed into "retirement status for one year" as part of the agreement entered into Friday.

The agreement also states that he can petition a judge to dismiss the charges next year if he complies with all the conditions set forth in the agreement, including paying all litigation taxes and court costs, any court ordered fines, fees and agreed contributions

Corley also had to pay full resititution to the victims in the full amount of $2,567 for the death of Cooper and injuries to Blakely, as well as for the purchase of a new full blooded Beagle.

He also agreed to make $100 contributions to two Sumber County animal nonprofits: Sumner Spay and Neuter Alliance and Humane Society of Sumner County

During a brief appearance last month, the 70-year-old admitted that neither dog had been aggressive towards him when he shot at them.

(JRN.com - Sept 12, 2014)

Earlier:

• Man arrested after Hendersonville dog shot, killed