Bellingham man accused of killing neighbor's dog dies before trial

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- A man charged with killing a neighbor's dog in Bellingham has died before his case could go to trial.

Deputy prosecutor Shannon Connor tells the Bellingham Herald that 56-year-old David William Latham died last week of natural causes.

Authorities say Latham was annoyed by a barking dog, so he armed himself with a rifle, walked across the street, aimed over a fence and shot 1-year-old corgi Molly in front of her owners.

Molly was not the dog barking.

Latham was charged with first-degree animal cruelty, brandishing a weapon, and criminal trespassing in September.

He pleaded not guilty and was released on $20,000 bail. He surrendered his dog and could not own another while awaiting trial.

After his case garnered attention on social media, Latham lost his job and moved.

The Latham family released the following statement:

The group Justice for Molly the Corgi posted this on their Facebook page:

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