Men charged with animal cruelty in shooting death of Rottweiler

A man and his adult son have been charged with first-degree animal cruelty after they allegedly shot a Rottweiler and left it for dead last month in North Bend.

According to charges filed today in King County Superior Court, the Rottweiler was found on May 31 lying about 15 feet down a steep embankment off Southeast Homestead Valley Road. Officers with King County Animal Care and Control s said the dog, Maynard, had been tied to a tree, shot three times and left for dead.

The 4-year-old dog was still alive when it was found by a group of friends, who called Animal Control.

The dog was taken to an animal shelter, where he was found to be partially paralyzed and suffering from extreme pain. On June 4, the dog was euthanized to save him from further pain.

Prosecutors have charged the dog's owner, Travis L. Hedin, 25, of North Bend, and his father, Terrance L. Hedin, 53, of Tukwila with animal cruelty. According to prosecutors, the men tried to put down the dog because it had bitten the younger Hedin's wife several times in the past two months. The dog, still tied to the tree, fell over the embankment when it was shot, prosecutors said.

By not confirming the dog's death, prosecutors said, the men inflicted unnecessary pain and suffering on the dog.

King County Animal Care and Control's interim manager, Nancy McKenney, called the death a horrendous and intentional case of animal abuse.

Both defendants are out of custody pending their arraignments on July 7.

Christine Clarridge: 206-464-8983 or cclarridge@seattletimes.com