Snohomish man suspected of killing neighbor's dog

sumithryo said on February 26, 2010 at 5:38 PM

Nice guy. At least he shot the right animal this time (himself).

aduxbury said on January 6, 2010 at 4:07 PM

Even if you think this nut case physco is in anyway justified for shooting the dog, he had no reason to then drag it by it's neck. And for those of you defending shooting the dog I hope you get shot and dragged behind an ATV or better yet your children since you are probably teaching them the same disrespect for animals and for many of us our pets are our children and no less important for being 4 legged. For people saying contain the dog it says she escaped implying she is normally secure, my dog got out once when the idiot electric meter person didnt close my gate, my way of securing my dog.

firstbekind said on November 23, 2009 at 3:17 PM

Ah, dogadix--It's FirstBeKIND (not Find) No, I don't, but then again, you don't either so taking the law into your own hands, especially when it comes to killing another person's animal without justification is uncalled for and lawless. And my "what if's" are valid. What if this piece of low-life trash missed the dog and the bullet riccocheted and hit an unsuspecting passerby. It happens. I counted FIVE (5) responses from you to this article. Are you the self-proclaimed dog czar of Snohomish? Perhaps you should start your own blog. It's obvious you like to see your name in print. It's not surprising that you would proclaim I need help. It's obvious from your numerous comments that anyone who takes issue with your opinion is nuts. I hope you don't have dogs. I hope you don't have children, either! What if we never heard from you again?

dogadix said on November 21, 2009 at 8:03 PM

RE: first be find: You do not know that Molly was not threating. As someone who has owned rual property, it is a MAJOR problem with mauurading dogs. Let me make it clear....I do not support shooting an animal however it can be very clear to me how this frustration would build to the point of a shooting. Please stop with the "what if's". " What if it had been a child?....what if it had been the Pope chasing the child?"......what if Obama had been chasing the Pope that chased the child?" OMG ! Let's just deal with the facts !!! WHAT IF Molly had a secure fence built for her after the frst time she was shot? You stated " are all crazy" ?.. No were are not crazy. Unlike yourself, we have all had experiences with maurauding dogs. Also unlike yourself, I would imagine we are not paranoid with the "what if's" in life. You could use some psychiatric help. .

firstbekind said on November 20, 2009 at 12:59 PM

Regardless of whether the dog's owner was somewhat irresponsible, deliberately shooting and killing a dog that is NOT threatening or menacing you or your livestock is completely irresponsible. Is violence the only solution? Now that his background has been exposed, it is clear this man is not only a threat to animals but to people too. Unbelievable that so many have commented that he had the right to brutally gun down this dog and then attempt to run over the owner. Are you people crazy? He's sick--a sociopath who has managed to fly just under the radar of law enforcement and escape the long-term incarceration he most certainly deserves. I wonder how you would all feel if their child was trying to catch the dog, on his property, and he was senselessly gunned down, too? Would you be defending him then? I don't think so. CONVICT HIM OF FELONY CRUELTY AND PUT HIM AWAY FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS! He's an oxygen robber.

dogadix said on November 18, 2009 at 12:50 PM

Sorry Pasado's but you've lost me on this one. YES, the shooter is a nut case. However the owners of Molly should also be held accountable for being irresponsible & letting their dog maraud on the neighbors property not just once but at least 3 known times. SOMETHING or someone was attracking Molly to the crazy neighbors property & I would not think it was his kind heart. Angel stated in a comment "notice the dog is collared & leashed in all the pictures". Yes the dog is leashed however it is also very noticeable that she is wearing an archaic 1" prong choke collar! This is further evidence that Molly was NOT properly leashed trained or she wouldn't be wearing a prong collar.....(geez, talk about cruelty! ) This was a predictable and totally preventable tragedy. I would think that Pasado's had bigger fights to fight. How about finding the jerk that left his five horses to starve in the Pierce County woods?

lavenia said on November 18, 2009 at 12:05 AM

I live on 10 acres, surrounded by houses. Yes, animals run on my property, but I would never shoot one unless I was protecting my family members or my own animals. I have fenced part of my property, but it is very expensive. The fencing I have put up is often cut. Yes, that makes me angry. However, being angry would not justify my killing another living being. I encourage everyone to donate some to Pasado's today. I fully support Pasado's efforts to make sure this man is brought to trial.

angelraypsh said on November 17, 2009 at 5:48 PM

I am the Animal Cruelty Investigator for Pasados Safe Haven. I started as an Animal Control Officer. Many of the comments bring up valid points. However, I have personally reviewed the known facts in this case and they clearly support animal cruelty in the first degree (Class C Felony). Negitive comments only add insult to injury. Please have respect for this family who have lost thier beloved family pet. If you would like to read the Full Story, go to: www. pasadosafehaven.org . If you look at the photos, you will see Molly has a secure collar and is leashed in them. Send your comments to the link to support prosecution. Don't let your doubts get in the way. Molly is Dead ***** tried to cover it up. Does that sound like a man who felt justified in his desision to take a life? You decide.

lorrix said on November 16, 2009 at 5:25 PM

Yah and as I said before, I was told that he tried to report the ATV as stolen which didn't fly with the cops. If you're justified in your actions (not that it's possible in this case, really) you don't mislead the police in an attempt to cover your tracks like that. In the end, he is in the wrong. You can't just whip your gun out and shoot any animal that walks onto your property. I understand that this is a rural area but there have to be additional laws as to whether firearms can be discharged at all in their area. It's still a residential zone where families live and children may be playing. I hope this guy's record is enough to set him on a path where he goes away for a good long while.

bbqmaniac said on November 16, 2009 at 5:17 PM

He killed the dog, dragged it and dumped it on someone else's property entirely and then hid the quad in the bushes. Doesn't sound like the shooter even thought the killing was justified.

lorrix said on November 16, 2009 at 5:11 PM

A lot of people assuming things about the owner. It doesn't make sense to me that this dog habitually escapes...I think she would have been shot more recently than 3 years ago if this were the case. People saying that there's no way this dog was out for 5 minutes. What is the basis for this? Things can happen quickly. I know if my dog escapes it would take 30 seconds for him to get run over, the same can happen when you have a trigger happy jerk living next door who's having a bad day. In the end, it doesn't matter why the dog was out. The guy had no business shooting the dog unless he was needing to protect himself or his family. The fact that he drug the dog away and dumped the body on neighboring property is a sign of guilt. My friend was listening to the scanner when this happened and says that the guy tried to report his ATV stolen to cover his tracks. Guilty much? His irresponsible and irrational actions and his record will speak for themselves, he'll be found guilty.

browndog said on November 16, 2009 at 10:37 AM

I have two labs and thought the same thing, that they are not mean, but they proved me wrong. Animals are protective and if you are not there to stop them it does not matter the bread.

itsajeepthing27 said on November 16, 2009 at 10:15 AM

whether the dog should have been contained better or not doesn't matter. The neighbor had no reason one to kill a dog just because its on his property, its a lab which are not mean or aggresive dogs and to turn around and drag the persons dog off is beyond unfeeling and cruel. The man deserves some serious consequences. Dogs do get out whether you fence, or contain in a kennel they do not deserve to be shot. Boycott his business and file some serious charges. As stated in some other posts he has no livestock, animals, and he shot from a distance so there was no threat to his person. this reminds me of the older woman a while back that killed a neighbors dog and she was brought up on charges for it. As for the family sue the pants off the man!!!

freeway1989 said on November 16, 2009 at 10:14 AM

The above poster "flyingraff" is absolutely right... to vilify the man who shot the dog without all the facts is troubling. I too own property in rural Snohomish country and in fact within a few miles of this sad event. Over the years many dogs have roamed through my property. Some dogs are friendly who have just slipped their owner's collar our dug through a fence and escaped. There is nothing more rewarding than contacting a worried pet owner that we've found their dog. But many irresponsible dog owners let their animals run free and terrorize other people's pets, children and livestock. I have no sympathy for these owners. I've approached neighbors that allow their supposedly friendly dog to run free on the county road and around my property and asked them to keep their dogs at home. There is nothing worse than having an irresponsible owner's dog chase, bark and try to bite you on your own property. BANG! Sad, but problem solved!

browndog said on November 16, 2009 at 10:00 AM

Keep the dog on your property. Nobody else should have to deal with the risk. My dogs are the best dogs in the world when with me, but they have gotten out before and been intimidating to neighbors and I would have no hard feelings if it had come to them killing my dogs.

flyinggaff said on November 16, 2009 at 8:45 AM

The story on the dog shooting is very sad but there are many facts unknown to allow a reasonable person to vilify the suspected shooter. As a property owner I can envision several circumstances which would place me in the shoes of the person considering euthanizing the animal. Keep in mind that irresponsible pet (dog) owners are always going to insist that "its the first time my dog ever got out." If the dog was mean or threatened me, my family or my livestock on a given occurence, poofl I wouldnt hesitate to shoot the dog. PERIOD. CONSIDER: A responsible animal owner can always prevent this kind of event by KEEPING YOUR MUTT HOME!!!

realitychk said on November 16, 2009 at 7:08 AM

Too many commenters believe that another's property is somehow a free public park for dog defication. We have acreage and we fenced it so our dogs do not wander about. Molly's owners made a choice not to fence. With a nutjob next door that was a bad mistake. There is a leash law in Snohomish County. Steve, your naive view of life in the country is well, very much that of an urbanite who already lets his dogs run the neighborhood, pooping in other peoples' yards and "playing" with the neighborhood kids blah blah blah. Let's take the dogs to the country to chase people's cats, horses, livestock, bicyclists etc. etc. Guess what? There is a leash law in Snohomish county: You can't let your dog run the streets even in an area of 5 acre plots. It's folks like you with that idea that cause problems every time you move into a rural area. It is not a dog park and we don't want your dogs bothering us. You'd still have to fence to be able to let your dog run on your 5 acres.

steve_in_everett said on November 16, 2009 at 6:33 AM

Cedar Ponds Tree Farm 7815 184th Dr Se Snohomish, WA 98290 Phone: (360) 563-3937 I did a Google of the area that these people live in. This a dead end street out in the middle of no where with probably 10 homes on the whole road to a stop sign, having never been here I can only imagine how simple it must be to take life a little slower on the weekends. Let the dog out in the morning to relieve itself with out worry that some stupid _uck with a gun would crash your whole world around you. This is what I dream of for my 2 labs, this same type neighborhood were they can play with the kids on the block and everyone knows there names. Being a responsible parent to a lab that is only 4years old, thats still a puppy. People shouldn't have to worry about on this twisted S.O.B on this block, out in the middle of no where.These family's are there to have a peaceful existence with their loved ones with out fear of their neighbor. WHATS YOUR DREAM. I say Michael J Capretta needs to leave.

openureyes said on November 16, 2009 at 1:35 AM

I remember hearing about the dog before too...poor girl! I keep seeing all these comments about "locking him up" or "sending him to a mental institution". Don't we already have enough people there? This guys rap sheet is crazy and is exactly why I believe in the death penalty. We keep putting these people away or try to get them help and it usually never works! We are wasting billions on these crazy people...money that we could be using for schools and other programs that are needed. People need to open their eyes and see whats happening, because if we don't do something, how is it going to be in ten years?? Twenty?? We have a death penelty now its time to use it!

tazzle74 said on November 16, 2009 at 12:10 AM

One more note...people cannot shoot humans for wandering across their property, why is it okay to shoot domestic animals? If a human is robbing, threatening a land/homeowners life than they can protect their property/defened their life with a gun but the dog wasn't out to rob the man, nor kill him. If you don't want to have a dog possibly get into your yard, then fence your yard! If it is so important to you that you would shoot a neighbors family dog (and child's pet) hence damaging the child's psychological future then you should build a fence. Yes, of course it is the dog owner's responsibility to control their dog but sometimes things happen and you do the best you can to rectify it. If their dog has been with them for years, then obviously it doesn't get loose all the time. The man should get locked up in a psych ward and deal with whatever arrogant, anger issue he has. It's proven that people who have no issue harming animals are quite possibly sociopathic.

drb09 said on November 15, 2009 at 10:14 PM

I have read all the posts above, and was surprised at all the assumption's that were drawn. I wish we could ask more questions and get more information before making assumption's. One assumption that bothers me is that the owner's did not control their dog. This seems to be based on one fact - the fact that 3 years earlier Molly had been shot on the neighbor's property and recently, 3 years after the first shooting, she is shot again and killed. We really don't know how often or how rarely Molly got out. I have a 4 year old black lab, and she still acts like a puppy. Despite our many precautions, and our many walks through the neighborhood and to the dog park, she has occassionally gotten out. Probably twice each year. My neighbors have similar stories with their dogs. I don't think we can assume the owner was "negligent". We need more details to know that. As for the shooter, I can't imagine, nor assume, what possessed him to kill the dog and bully/intimidate the owner.

dogadix said on November 15, 2009 at 8:31 PM

Well said nwgal. I have the same feelings.The owner did NOTHING to protect their "beloved" pet from a neighbor they knew to be crazy. They did not even confine Molly. She was by all accounts allowed to roam at large. Unless this wack job neighbor lived in a deer blind 24/7 & was incredibly lucky, Molly must have been trespassing on the neighbors property more than a "couple times.....5 minutes". Shame on Pasado's. I used to be a fan however I am know rethinking my support. Who shoulders the burden of animal cruelty? Yes the dog was shot by a wack job however there is also a negligent, irresponsible, unconcerned owner who did nothing to ensure the dogs safety after a previous attack. If Molly had been a pit bull we all be applauding this neighbor! Shame on the owner,. Shame on the shooter . Shame on Pasados for perpetuating all this. Better to educate these country folk that Born Free was a movie from the 70's - if you want to keep your pet safe - KEEP THEM AT HOME!

gaylee said on November 15, 2009 at 7:57 PM

This is textbook deviant behavior. Be very afraid of this monster. Jeffery Dahmer had a history of abusing animals. This type of behavior escalates and in it late stages is horrific to all. I hope that this man gets a mental evaluation because he is a danger to society. We have to protect ourselves from psychopaths like this before they destroy us.

alkinative said on November 15, 2009 at 7:04 PM

If this guy did this to my dog, I wouldn't sleep until I had rearranged his face and made sure his fingers were so broken he would never be able to hold or shoot another firearm for the rest of his miserable life. What a mother _ucker!!

lorrix said on November 15, 2009 at 5:50 PM

Disgusting. There is no defense for this man...his violent history that forced the police to show up in the way they did? What, is he exempt from following the law like the rest of us and making complaints with authorities or calling animal control? I think if there was a habitual issue with the dog being out, that she would have been shot more recently than 3 years ago. Sure, I understand the dog got out, but as a dog owner I can say that sometimes, things happen. Responsible drivers get in accidents, you know. Most responsible dog owners can probably name a time or two that their dog bolted out the door. I highly doubt that the guy felt threatened. Instead it sounds like he has serious mental issues, and given his history, should not own a gun to begin with. In the end, there is simply no excuse for the way he handled this matter. You don't pick your gun and shoot an animal or person because they irritate you. If I could do this, I'd live on this earth all by myself.

nwgal said on November 15, 2009 at 4:14 PM

One would think that Pasado's would jump on the opportunity to educate pet owners to better protect their animals. The owner of the dog has some responsibility in this, as she suspected that letting her dog run wild was a dangerous thing to do, and yet she continued to allow it to run wild. I don't for a minute believe that the dog was loose for only 5 minutes. The reports show that the dog had a history of running loose in the neighborhood. Pasado's should know firsthand the danger pets are in when they're allowed to run loose. They should not be encouraging the victimhood of this woman, but should be encouraging pet owners to be responsible for their pets and not put them in danger. The guy shouldn't have shot the dog; but the woman shouldn't have put the dog in a situation where it could get shot. I know that if my dog had been shot before and I suspected my next door neighbor, I'd move heaven and earth to keep my dog off his property. This was a tragedy waiting to happen.

bikersbaby said on November 15, 2009 at 4:04 PM

This is UNBELIVABLE ! as a rule,Labradors are harmless. What right did this man have to shoot someones pet ? throw something at it .. yell at it .. you DONT shoot it ! Wish i had a dime for all the times ive turned a hose on a stray dog or cat to get it out of my yard.. no harm.. just wet for a while . and to add insult to injury the idiot tries to run the dogs owner over with his Atv.. then nails in the final coffin by putting a cable around the dogs neck and dragging it off....Id like to put a cable around his neck and drag him down the road for 100 miles through hot asphalt. Hope they throw the book at him.... !!!

deniseh1006 said on November 15, 2009 at 1:38 PM

It's amazing that everyone seems to be blaming the pet owner for her neighbor's mental illness. A normal person does not shoot a dog unless they are being attacked or they are protecting their livestock, which neither one was happeneing. As careful as my husband and I are with our dog there was a couple of times when he did get out. Luckily he is microchipped and has his tag with the microchip # on it. Our neighbors actually took our dog into their home and called the company. They didn't shoot him or drag his suffering body off somewhere to die alone. That is just plain sick. The same people that are on here blaming the pet owner are probably the same people that blame the state for not helping people with mental illness. This man needs to be locked away. Next time it could be someone's child that accidently steps in his yard.

seattlemama said on November 15, 2009 at 12:19 PM

Wow, what a sicko.

bbleigh said on November 15, 2009 at 11:12 AM

I have every sympathy for the dog, and even the owners, but why would you take the chance of having a dog shot again? Especially if the guy is harrassing his neighbors all the time. He sounds like someone to stay clear of, and to keep any animals you have away from him. I don't really blame the owners, though. Our three dogs are kept behind an 8 foot padlocked fence. Last weekend they busted out the front door and refused to come back, my husband couldn't find them for a half hour. If someone had shot either one of them, I would have been hysterical. The man who threatened the owner, and then dragged her dog away right in front of her sounds like one scary guy. I am sorry for the families loss, and hope they prosecute this guy, not just for killing the dog, but also for threatening the mom.

demjeff said on November 15, 2009 at 11:00 AM

There is one irresponsible dog owner, and one totally unacceptable neighbor, human, and god forbid father here. For the pet owner, you're mental suffering you're receiving is beyond the punishment you deserve for the infraction of failing to control your dog. Hopefully you'll learn from it, and become more vigilant. For Michael John Carpetta, I do hope you receive justice, first from your neighborhood, and then from your maker. You're a waste of a human form, at least in this matter. BOYCOTT Cedar Ponds Tree Farm !!!!!!!!!

momof5 said on November 15, 2009 at 10:01 AM

This crazy man needs to spend time behind bars with heavy fines and get psychiatric help. Molly and her family shouldn't be blamed for the troubled man's behavior. For those blaming the family...most people in the country don't put up fences around their 5-10 acre lots unless they have livestock. Plus, the Fairhurst family had been planning to add on to their home for years so a fence connected to their home would have had to been taken down for construction which is currently in progress. It takes just a split second for an animal to get out of a kennel or the home and take a run in the woods! It is difficult for surveyors to know where the property lines are on these rural lots so how do we expect family pets to know where "their" property ends. The Fairhurst family has a reputation as a responsible, respectful, law-abiding family. The neighbor who shot their dog has a bad reputation and record. My sympathy goes out to the Fairhurst family.

unhappy said on November 15, 2009 at 9:57 AM

Not sure if you heard the new idea state rep Sam Hunt has but you should probably just let this guy go because were not tough on crime anymore. He wants to close prisons and get rid of probation which would let criminals out unsupervised. People like this that should be behind bars for breaking the laws and violating other peoples rights. Maybe we should cut him and use that money to lock this guy up.

steve_in_everett said on November 15, 2009 at 8:12 AM

1 Capretta, Michael Petitioner King Co Superior Ct 06-2-38013-4 12-04-2006 2 Capretta, Michael Dominic Defendant King County District C00648030 08-21-2006 3 Capretta, Michael J Defendant Snohomish Superior 00-2-04898-8 06-19-2000 4 Capretta, Michael J King Co Superior Ct 98-4-00974-5 02-06-1998 5 Capretta, Michael John Defendant Seattle Municipal Ct 810410302 02-10-1981 6 Capretta, Michael John Petitioner Sno Co-evergreen Div D04-00003 02-17-2004 7 Capretta, Michael John Petitioner Sno Co-evergreen Div D04-00004 02-17-2004 8 Capretta, Michael John Defendant Sno Co-evergreen Div C00046477 08-01-2003 9 Capretta, Michael John Defendant Sno Co-evergreen Div I00237300 10-13-2008 10 Capretta, Michael John Defendant Sno Co-everett Div PC09-2904 11-05-2009 11 Capretta, Michael John Respondent Sno Co-evergreen Div U09-00063 11-04-2009

steve_in_everett said on November 15, 2009 at 7:28 AM

" realitychk said on November 14, 2009 at 3:11 PM " I place blame squarely on the shoulders of the "beloved owner" for failure to contain her dog. If, as stated above, the shooter has no Realitychk it looks as if the owner did contain the dog. See the fenced kennel day pen. I am putting all the blame on Michael J Capretta. I have two labs myself that I treat like children, because they are my children. You could not ask for a more charismatic, gentle loving family member in your life. If it were me in the shoes of Mollys parents, I say a eye for a eye Michael J Capretta 10 acres of trees to sniff is a puppy heaven. I hope that after the fact, Mollys family files a civil suit against Michael J Capretta and takes his land and home, so the next time a member of the family wanders across a faint line that they don't get shot also.

pjdxxxwa said on November 15, 2009 at 1:58 AM

MARCIE, my condolences to the loss of your beloved pet Molly and for your living next to a person who has no heart or soul. My prayers are with you and your family.

pjdxxxwa said on November 15, 2009 at 1:56 AM

I have seen some cruel comments here that are UNNECESSARY. The owner may put the dog in a small kennel ONLY when they are not home, such as, taking the children to school. Gates can sound like they snap shut but not quite lock. It is sad that some people focus on how the victim should be responsible and totally ignore the fact that a person who shoots and kills a gentle, family pet may not have any problem shooting and killing another human, even a small child. I hope this neighbor is arrested and charged with at least animal cruelty, if not endangerment of using a firearm outdoors so close to neighbors. He seems to be a menace to the neighborhood, and unsafe to life near.

bbqmaniac said on November 14, 2009 at 11:53 PM

From what I've seen, the owners have been very conscencious of keeping the dog leashed when out of the yard and kenneled. Think about it, if not, this guy, Michael Carpella, would have killed the dog many months ago. The property line between the two is fenced. This isn't about a negligent dog owner, but rather a killer. Really, this guy, he's 56, why would you knowing kill anothers family pet?

nwgal said on November 14, 2009 at 9:37 PM

Bigdon - You make a good point. I can't believe the idiocy of that one response to your valid concern. Some people can't argue the merits, and can only respond with childish personal attacks.

nwgal said on November 14, 2009 at 9:18 PM

The only victim here is the poor dog. The guy shouldn't have shot the dog. But the woman's claim that he dog was only out for five minutes is not believable. Unless the guy was sitting at a window all day every day waiting for the dog to come on his property, the dog had probably been on his property more than a couple of times. The family knew that letting the dog run wild was dangerous; and yet they allowed it to do so--even after it had been shot once. They failed their dog. "Beloved" pet, my foot. Shame on the guy who shot the dog, and shame on the family who knew their dog was in danger if it ran wild and still let it run wild.

frred said on November 14, 2009 at 8:20 PM

dogadix is right here. You dog owners need to keep them in your yard. I've got 4 dogs and it is my responsibility for their well being to keep them within their fenced yard of 80' x 200'. If they got loose by accident and I was right there on their tail to bring them back and this scumbag bumped into me with his quad after killing my dog for no reason I would now be in jail for shooting him in the head. Since this previously happened and the dog got shot with a puppy killed, the owner should have been on top of the situation and prevented this from happening. It IS the dog owners fault--you need to protect your pets from scum such as this. Nonetheless, this A-hole will be dealt with I am sure. Our courts will do nothing to him but I'm sure his neighbors have something in mind.

deniseh1006 said on November 14, 2009 at 8:18 PM

Why is he not being prosecuted for attempted murder for trying to run his neighbor down with an ATV? This man obviusly has some severe mental issues and should not be out in public. He needs to be locked away in an institution before he murders someone. Yes, she should have been more careful about keeping her dog contained, but even the most careful pet owners can have a moment where their pets get out. That doesn't give this maniac the right to murder this poor dog and drag her off like he did. He is just very disturbed.

sargonbighorn said on November 14, 2009 at 5:56 PM

It's sad when pet owners allow their "family pet" to run about uncontrolled. No one wins with this sort of behavior. The dog was just doing what a dog would do, running about. Any responsible pet owner would know something about how their pet thinks and would act accordingly. And it appears this is not a one time thing. The pet owners seem to have allowed their pet to run unchecked in the past. This is not responsible pet ownership. The neighbor was within his rights to shoot the stray dog. Apparently the pet owner did not seem to respect their neighbors; the innocent victim was the dog.

lmiller658 said on November 14, 2009 at 5:12 PM

Well I would like to also put some of the blame on the dog owner, BUT, shooting a dog like that is crazy. And what about shooting so close to other homes, this guy is out of control, next time it could be a child. He bumped into the dog owner with his ATV, big bad boy, I bet he is proud to have put the fear of god into his neighbors. What an great neighbor. Sure glad I dont live near him.

realitychk said on November 14, 2009 at 4:11 PM

I place blame squarely on the shoulders of the "beloved owner" for failure to contain her dog. If, as stated above, the shooter has no livetock at risk, shooting was not really an option. He should have caught the dog and taken it to Everett as a stray. The "beloved family" would have been mad but could have picked up their dog, paid the fine and fenced as they should have years ago. Shooter just moved up to major creep but the owner needs to accept responsibility for her failure to control the dog. My neighbor's dogs get into my pasture once in awhile...I can't fathom shooting them...I can't imagine sharing property lines with someone who would do such a thing either.

wa_resident said on November 14, 2009 at 3:52 PM

http://www.pasadosafehaven.org/articles/09.11.14/molly/molly.html

dogadix said on November 14, 2009 at 3:25 PM

Instead of asking why the dog was shot, why aren't we asking why the dog was not safely contained on his property?

realitychk said on November 14, 2009 at 3:13 PM

Phinney. Comforting the dog was for the "beloved owner", not the dog. Owner states she checked pulse and respiration and there was none (see the video). This was not an "excited dog" one time deal, this was an on-going problem as indicated by the owner who admits that the dog was shot prior (while running lose). "Beloved owner" had a couple of YEARS to fence the yard for the dog. No excuses for the "beloved owner". I'm NOT condoning the shooter's action, I'm just not convicting him based on one-sided "beloved owner"'s "poor me" story. She was trespassing on HIS property. Perhaps he felt the need to defend himself from her? The dog was NOT alive when he put a chain on it to haul off the carcass. Watch video please. Blame the "beloved owner" for not fencing a dog that has a history of running and didn't manage her dog. I'm still waiting to hear if there was a reason that lead to the dog being shot (endangerment of animals or something). I'd like to hear that he's not a creep.

bbqmaniac said on November 14, 2009 at 3:04 PM

Michael John Carpetta has no livestock on his property, no goats, no chickens, no cows no nothing. He was not protecting his animals, nor his property. He was, and has been, terrorizing his neighbors. The dog wasn't being aggressive. He was wasn't protecting, He was terrrorizing. Plain and simple. He's been a defendant in 7 different cases. http://dw.courts.wa.gov/index.cfm?fa=home.namelist

phinneyridgian said on November 14, 2009 at 2:47 PM

You know, sometimes dogs just get excited and dash. All that would be necessary would be for someone to forget to close the gate...or a mailman not closing the gate. The point was that not only was the dog shot, it was obviously still alive when she reached it, since she stated that she was trying to comfort her dog. It's one thing to protect your animals and quite another to threaten a neighbor with an ATV, wrap a chain around the neck of your neighbor's dog and drag it off, still alive. That is beyond cruel and strays into the realm of disturbed and sadistic behaviour. There is NO excuse for this and believe me, I'll be telling everyone I know not to do business with his tree farm.

dogadix said on November 14, 2009 at 1:39 PM

I have 100% sympathy for the dog that was shot however ZERO sympathy for the owners of the dog. After the dog was shot the 1st time why wasn't a fence built to keep the dog in? If the dog was such a "beloved family member " as claimed, why was he living in a small outside kennel & not inside with the "beloved" family? As someone who had trouble with roaming dogs killing chickens, pygmy goats and chasing horses on my property, I understand the dog shooters frustration. When I called animal control several times to complain about said times they told me I had every right to shot the dog. Do we know this is not the case in this story? I think that both the shooter and the owner should be heavily fined or do some volunteer work in a shelter. The shooter is responsible for being an Ahole but the owner is responsible for being irresponsible & letting her dog trespass and perhaps become a nusiance.

sumithryo said on November 14, 2009 at 1:32 PM

Michael John Capretta with get his comeuppance. When do we geat to hear about all the other crimes this scumbag has gotten away with. As for bigdon - please take a nice ride down the middle of I-5. You shouldn't run into any dogs that route.

realitychk said on November 14, 2009 at 1:21 PM

Question: Does the neighbor have livestock or his own pets that the straying dog was endangering? Too many people think it's OK to let their dogs and cats run and not be responsible for their pets' actions while loose. If the dog was chasing the neighbor's animals, he had no recourse other than to protect them from the dog. If the dog was just putzing around using his property for a bathroom and posing no risk then he should have filed a complaint with the county about that problem or caught the dog and taken her to the animal shelter as a repeated stray. Bad thing when neighbors can't resolve stray dog issues. I hope that he was protecting his animals rather than merely removing a thorn from his side by callously shooting the dog. I can't help but think that there is more history leading up to this sad ending than is being reported by the owner. I hope more info comes out that shows us that he is not a creep.

olyhulagirl said on November 14, 2009 at 12:23 PM

What is wrong with someone like this. I have had dogs come into my yard without being welcomed, but it would never occur to me to harm them in any way. You know what they say about people who injure or kill animals. Jeffrey Dahmer started this way I believe. My sympathy to the family traumatized by this maniacal neighbor. So sad to lose a pet and one to violence must be excruciating.

avenger99 said on November 14, 2009 at 12:06 PM

I hope the family seriously considers moving! Our justice system does not work 90% of the time...so, this guy will get away with what he did and continue to be the #@$%! that he is...the family isn't safe living next door to him!

bbqmaniac said on November 14, 2009 at 10:34 AM

Three years ago I heard the gun shots that injured this dog and killed the puppy that was playing with him. It was heart wrenching to hear the family calling & calling for the pups to come home. If this was a vicious dog or it was charging this Michael John Capretta that's one thing, However, not the case. This jerk lives on 10 acres and shot the dog from a distance, the killing was deliberate. As deliberate as his clear cutting/trespassing another neighbors property to enhance his view.

randygtl said on November 14, 2009 at 10:27 AM

What a poor excuse for a human being. To kill a dog and then drag it away with cables and an ATV right in front of the heart broken owner, I just can't even get my head around that! Being as he bumped into the person with the ATV I would think further charges of assault would be in order. BIGDON, What a stupid statement. What does it matter what happened to him in the past? Last year I was mowed down in a cross walk by a cyclist, you don't see me out there shooting at bikes. Being as the holidays are soon upon us please know that Mr Capretta is the owner of Cedar Ponds Tree Farm, I would say a boycott of his products is in order.

paytonplace387 said on November 14, 2009 at 9:39 AM

What a rotten person. I hope the prosecuting attorney will press charges. I feel so bad for the family.

bigdon said on November 14, 2009 at 9:15 AM

I've done a lot of running and cycling and have had dog bites twice that tore the flesh (many more near misses) involving dogs that charged off "private property" and attacked. Many more close calls. Maybe the shooter had worse happen at some point...?? Commenters should not be so quick to condemn. If you are going to have a dog, it's your responsibility to keep it properly trained and restrained...

maggieb said on November 14, 2009 at 8:37 AM

Thanks to the availability of public information, I have learned the name is Michael J Capretta.

maggieb said on November 14, 2009 at 8:29 AM

The media is usually very quick to identify news subjects, wonder why they avoided naming this guy? If he was arrested it's public record.

cmeeverett said on November 14, 2009 at 1:59 AM

Sad indeed. Who know's what kind of sick reasoning goes through peoples brains when they feel they have a "right" to shoot, or kill their neighbors pet.

lunaazule said on November 14, 2009 at 1:19 AM

I bet the jerk is also a hunter...Either way, I hope he's not given a gun permit...because, men who kill humans begin as animal abusers

dr_cooper said on November 13, 2009 at 10:02 PM

See little Johnny, MONSTERS DO EXISTS! What is happening "out there?" This guy, lacking in all human design, really needs to do some jail time. Some SERIOUS jail time. He didn't just shoot a dog--thats bad enough. But he's also hurt and sacred a family, and possibily emotionally damaged some children. NO PLEA DEALS and we need to make sure the judge gives him that "serious time" to rethink his place in society.

bekhe said on November 13, 2009 at 9:30 PM

When I read this article, I felt such outrage. How can someone do such a cruel and sick thing to a innocent animal? This man needs to be locked away. I would hate to see what he is capable of doing to a child or any other human for that matter. I hope that he goes away for along time. Our laws need to be stricter when it comes to the rights of animals. I only wish he could suffer like he made poor Molly do. My heart goes out to the family.