The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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December 24, 2009

2 arraigned for hitting bull, shooting cattle

By Kasey Fowler, Staff Writer

Two men were arraigned Thursday morning on 13 counts each of animal cruelty for shooting cattle and striking a bull with their pickup last month.

Shane Smith, 34, of Orlando, and Shelby Morris, 22, of Kansas, confessed to the Nov. 28 shootings near Covington and said they were drunk and intended to go night hunting but shot the cattle when they could not find any deer, according to Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.

On Nov. 28, Deputy Shawna Cornish responded to the Covington area in reference to six calves having been shot to death. There were two other calves located a short time later, also dead as a result of being shot, and another two calves on the property that were wounded.

While authorities were investigating the case, another location was found where two cows had been killed as a result of gunshot wounds to the head, and a bull on the property was found with injuries sustained when the suspects ran into him with the truck they had been driving.

Smith and Morris were interviewed by authorities and confessed to shooting the cattle and running into the bull with a truck, according to court documents. They also admitted to being drunk.

Smith appeared Thursday before Special District Judge Paul Woodward. He has posted a $10,000 bond. Woodward continued the bond.

Morris appeared before Woodward via video from Garfield County Detention Facility. Morris also was arraigned on a bogus check charge.

An assistant district attorney asked Morris’ bond on the 13 counts of animal cruelty, which had been previously been set at $10,000, remain at that amount. She also asked Morris’ bond on the bogus check be set at $1,000.

Woodward asked Morris about other charges pending in other Oklahoma counties. Morris said they also are for bogus checks.

Woodward continued Morris’ bonds.

The men were ordered to return to court Feb. 8.

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