Butte man charged with animal cruelty after allegedly shooting at dog with air rifle

A 73-year-old Butte man appeared Friday afternoon in Judge Ben Pezdark’s Butte Justice Court charged with felony criminal endangerment, felony animal cruelty and attempted animal cruelty, a misdemeanor.

According to the authorities, Jay Arthur Gummer allegedly fired an air rifle in the direction of a Butte police officer at 9:18 a.m. Thursday at or near 1947 S. Wyoming St.

Prosecutors also alleged Gummer shot at a dog on someone else's property with an air rifle and tormented or injured an animal with the air rifle.

The felony criminal endangerment count, should he be convicted, carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a fine of up to $50,000.

The sentence for attempted animal cruelty is up to a year in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000.

If found guilty of felony animal cruelty, Gummer could receive a maximum prison sentence of two years and a $2,500 fine.

His bond was set Friday at $10,000.