Three men who are facing charges after one of them allegedly shot and killed his neighbor's dog in Salisbury, Massachusetts, appeared in court Thursday morning where not guilty pleas were entered on their behalf.
Emily Meattey has been seeking justice for her Siberian husky, Zoe, who was allegedly fatally shot by Meattey's neighbor last week after the animal wandered into the yard next door and attacked the man's duck.
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It was announced Wednesday that Meattey's neighbor, identified as 28-year-old Jacob Dow, had been arrested on charges including maliciously killing a domestic animal and misleading a police investigation, as well as four firearm charges and two counts of animal cruelty.
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Authorities also charged 29-year-old Donald Dow, who lives at the same address in Salisbury as Jacob, with firearm violations and a count of misleading a police investigation. Seventy-seven-year-old George Dow of Seabrook, New Hampshire, was also charged with misleading a police investigation.
All three were arraigned Thursday in Newburyport District Court where new details were revealed that the dog was not only shot, but also strangled — allegedly by Jacob Dow, who reportedly told police he shot the dog, but the dog wasn’t dead so he then strangled it.
Jacob was ordered held for 120 days pending a dangerousness hearing. Bail was set at $1,500 for Donald Dow, and he was ordered to have no contact with the victim and to surrender all firearms. George Dow was released on personal recognizance and was also ordered to have no contact with the victim and to surrender all firearms.
"He didn't have to strangle her. She could have been saved if they just did the right thing," Meattey said while fighting back tears outside the courthouse.
One of Meattey's neighbors, who asked not to be identified, said she feared something bad would happen with the pets. She said that in no way does it justify what happened to Zoe, but that Meattey's dogs have constantly been getting out over the last few years.
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"It's a weekly occurrence, and I think people are afraid. I feel horrible about what happened, but there's always two sides to every story and there has to be accountability for what happened," the neighbor said.
Court documents show animal control has responded to Meattey's address several times for loose dogs. Jacob's attorney also said the dogs have attacked his client's ducks more than once.
"It's in the police report. They've been called repeatedly for these dogs running at large," defense attorney Rick Foley said.
Meattey said she always takes responsibility for her animals, but after what happened to Zoe, she no longer has the chance.
"I would be paying fines. I would have taken responsibility because it's my dog. She could still be alive and with me right now," she said.
Supporters of the dog's owner were outside court Thursday where there was a lot of emotion spilling over.
"It's heinous, it's horrendous. There is no justification for shooting a domestic neighbor's animal, pet, it's a pet, it’s a family member," one woman said. "This dog had children that loved it, a home that loved it. It was a forever home and there is no more. It's gone!"
According to Meattey, her neighbor at first denied having anything to do with her missing dog.
"That was the hardest part," she said. "We continued to look when they knew Zoe was already dead."
Meattey said her 4-year-old daughter accidentally let the family's two dogs out, and only one of the dogs, Grizzly, came home.
When Meattey went looking for Zoe, she says she heard a gunshot.
“I was right in front of their house when I heard the gunshot go off and I heard a squeal type Yelp and that was it," Meattey said.
NBC10 Boston asked the homeowner Tuesday for his version of what happened.
"It is under investigation," he shouted. He had no comment when asked if he shot or buried the dog.
Meattey said her dog had wandered into her neighbor's yard once before, and she was warned to make sure it did not happen again.
She said that even if Jacob Dow was acting within his rights when the shot was fired, what happened after is something she will never understand.
"They just decided to take it into their own hands and bury her like she wasn't somebody's pet, like she didn't belong to anybody. And she belonged to us," Meattey said.
Meatty tells NBC10 Boston that she is planning a fundraiser for her dog.
“Zoe was mine, she was with me 24/7. The grocery store, my work, school, everywhere she came with me. So it’s just been very hard not having her presence there by my side,” Meattey said through tears.
