Publisher Charged In Shooting Of Dog

MERCER ISLAND - Frank Blethen, publisher of The Seattle Times, has been charged with a misdemeanor in connection with the wounding of a neighbor's dog earlier this year.

The charge was filed yesterday in Bellevue District Court. Wayne Stewart, assistant city attorney, said Blethen was charged under a section of Mercer Island's municipal code that prohibits willful and cruel injury to any animal by causing fright or pain.

If convicted, Blethen faces a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

Blethen is alleged to have wounded a neighbor's dog with a pellet gun in May. He admits to shooting at the ground near the dog to chase it from his garden but says he did not aim at the animal and did not think he hit it.

The dog's owner, lawyer Robert Chicoine, contends Blethen shot the dog for no apparent reason. The dog suffered two pellet wounds, one close to its heart.

In a signed statement, Blethen said he had been sitting in the den of his waterfront home May 10 when he saw the dog in his flower garden. He said he tried to chase it away, but the dog barked and growled at him.

Blethen said he fired two shots from a pellet gun at the ground behind the dog. The dog then walked to a fence and swam to his own yard.

Blethen, who is on vacation, could not be reached for comment. But his attorney, Jesse Franklin, expressed disappointment over the decision to file charges.

"We are thankful that Mr. Stewart was willing to consider Mr. Blethen's description of the incident. There was no intent to hurt the dog," Franklin said.

An arraignment date has not been set.