A 36-year-old Conifer man was in court June 12 to be sentenced for shooting the family's dog last August. Devin Shane Calhoun pled guilty to Cruelty to Animals, a class one misdemeanor, and Prohibited Use of a Weapon - Drunk, a class two misdemeanor, on January 14.

At sentencing today, District Lily Oeffler imposed a three year probation sentence with 45 days in the county jail. She also ordered that in addition to the standard terms and conditions of probation Calhoun complete twelve animal abuse treatment sessions, 36 weeks of domestic violence classes, comply with mental health treatment including taking prescribed medication and therapy, and that he find and keep a job.

In August 2007 Calhoun was at home with his wife and four children when their five-month-old border collie, Lucky, took food off of Calhoun's plate, which was on the coffee table. Calhoun was intoxicated at the time. He got his loaded .44 revolver and then took the dog outside and shot it. When Sheriff's deputies arrived Calhoun told them he had shot the dog. Fortunately, the gunshot just grazed the dog and he ran away, returning the next day after Calhoun was taken into custody.

Both the prosecutor and defense attorney discussed the fact that Calhoun has significant mental health issues and that he has been diagnosed and mediation has been prescribed for him. Calhoun admits that he stops taking the medication and attempts to use alcohol or illegal drugs to self-medicate. Because of this, pre-sentence evaluators deemed him a "high risk to reoffend."

Shortly after Calhoun was arrested and charged in this case he was arrested in Park County for DUI. Prosecutor Elly Peirson expressed concern that while Calhoun has mental health issues he chose not to take his medication that day. Instead he got drunk, then angry, and then took a loaded gun and shot the family pet. Peirson said that because of his choices that day he needed a punitive sanction.

Judge Oeffler said that she was very concerned that a man who knew he had mental health issues had a loaded revolver in his house where his wife and four children live. She said it was "shocking" that he shot the dog in front of his children because it ate off of a plate. Judge further said that she was glad Lucky was alright, but she was concerned about the effect on the children.
Deputy DA Peirson cited research that shows a correlation between animal abuse and violence against humans. One study she referred to, done at Northeastern University in Massachusetts, reports that people who abuse animals are five times more likely to commit violence against a human."

Pan Russell is the public information director for Jeffco District Attorney Scott Storey.