Charles City man guilty of misdemeanor animal cruelty after shooting dog with BB gun

A Charles City man who shot a dog with a BB gun entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of misdemeanor animal cruelty.

Jeffrey Paul Keirn, 54, of the 9400 block of Little Elam Road, accepted a plea deal to the reduced charge (originally felony animal cruelty) during July 6 proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court.

In a summary of evidence, on Oct. 19, 2022, a dog belonging to James Cotman had entered Keirn’s property. As Cotman went to get the dog and walk it back home, the animal continued to remain in Keirn’s yard. Frustrated and saying he was afraid that the dog had rabies, Keirn shot the dog with a BB gun. While Keirn believed he missed the dog with the pellet, unfortunately the animal succumbed from injuries sustained as it was hit in the rear.

Keirn received a six-month sentence with all time suspended. He must pay $420 in restitution along with a $250 fine.