The husband of a Lipscomb city council member is charged with shooting a neighbor’s dog midday Friday.
Officers were on routine patrol when they were flagged down at the intersection of Avenue K and 20th Street. The woman told police her neighbor shot her dog in the hip, said Lipscomb Interim Police Chief Jatavius Merritt.
Police went to the scene in the 2000 block of Belton Avenue and found the injured dog.
Officers made contact with City Councilwoman LaKendria Poellnitz and her husband, 46-year-old Darryl Poellnitz.
“Darryl admitted to officers that he went next door to retrieve his neighbor’s gun and shot the dog,’’ the chief said.
Merritt said a reason for the shooting was not given.
Darryl Poellnitz was taken into custody and charged with animal cruelty. He is out of the Lipscomb City Jail after posting bond.
Councilwoman Poellnitz did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The dog is recovering, and the investigation is ongoing.
“The arrest of Darryl Poellnitz on animal cruelty charges is troubling and will be thoroughly investigated,’’ Merritt said. “Some say it’s ‘just’ a dog where the law says it’s ‘just’ a crime.”
The chief said they will conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to uphold the integrity of the community.
“It is vital that we ensure the safety and well-being of all humans and animals in Lipscomb,’’ he said. “We understand the concerns this situation may cause.”
“Transparency is essential in any investigation,’’ Merritt said, “and we plan to be as transparent as possible with findings throughout the investigation.”
Councilwoman Poellnitz is among the most vocal critics of Mayor Tanja Baldwin in a bitter battle over political control in the small town just outside Bessemer.
The conflict centers largely around bingo halls that opened in the city, the money they generated and questions of their legality.
Poellnitz and others on the council have assailed Baldwin’s leadership and called for attorney general intervention before the state raided and closed the bingo halls.
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