Lower bail for alleged dog killer denied

Dennis E. McLean pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges related to the shooting of two Doberman pinschers. (Steven Lane/The Columbian)

A Hough neighborhood resident arrested June 27 for shooting two Doberman pinschers while walking his dog was denied his request for lower bail Wednesday.

Dennis E. McLean, 65, has been in the Clark County Jail on $100,000 bail.

At his arraignment in Clark County Superior Court, Brandy Jeffers, McLean’s court-appointed attorney, asked Superior Court Judge Diane Woolard to reconsider bail.

Jeffers said that when Judge Roger Bennett set bail at McLean’s first appearance on June 29, he did so considering McLean had been arrested for three counts of first-degree assault, a class A felony.

But prosecutors charged McLean with two counts of animal cruelty, a class C felony, and three counts of reckless endangerment, a gross misdemeanor.

Jeffers said McLean has no criminal history.

McLean, who has a concealed weapons permit and told police he sometimes carries a gun on walks, "has no problem surrendering his guns," Jeffers said.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Michael Vaughn said that while prosecutors may have filed lesser charges, the allegations are the same: that McLean opened fire, killing one dog and wounding another. Three daughters (ages 12, 8 and 5) of the dogs’ owner were "in close proximity" to the dogs and are the victims named in the reckless endangerment charges.

While having no prior criminal history is "certainly to his credit," Woolard said she’s concerned about the potential risk to the community should McLean be released.

Woolard said McLean can take up the bail issue with Bennett, the assigned trial judge.

McLean will have to wait until July 23 to make his case for lower bail, however, because Bennett is on vacation.

McLean, who told police the Dobermans ran out the front door of their Harney Street home and attacked his dog, a wirehaired pointing griffon, pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Trial was set for Aug. 12.

One Doberman, named Trinity, died, while the other, Faith, was not seriously injured.

While McLean may argue the shootings were in self-defense, some witnesses told police that Trinity and Faith did not attack McLean and that the dogs had just been sniffing McLean’s dog, Lisa.

According to police reports, McLean told officers that, in hindsight, he should have used pepper spray but didn’t have any with him.

Stephanie Rice: stephanie.rice@columbian.com or 360-735-4549.