Roger Dale Beason watches jury selection Monday in Judge Don Poole's courtroom as his trial begins on charges of aggravated cruelty to animals. Sitting with him is defense attorney Erinn O'Leary.
Staff Photo by John Rawlston/Chattanooga Times Free Press
May 9, 2011The trial of a 36-year-old Whitwell man charged with shooting a dog with an arrow began this morning.
Roger Dale Beason faces a charge of aggravated animal cruelty. Police responded to a call of a "dog running-at-large with an arrow sticking out from its muzzle" on Sept. 25, 2009 near 530 Manufacturers Road.
The arrest warrant states that Beason told police "he shot the animal in question while the animal was stationary and posing no threat to his personal well being."
The dog was taken to a local animal hospital and euthanized due to damage to its respiratory system, according to court documents.
For complete details see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.