Neighbor Pleads Not Guilty in Dog Shooting Death

A Stow man charged with shooting a neighbor’s dog to death has pleaded not guilty to the charge in Stow Municipal Court.

James M. Tibbs, 41, of 3966 Genevieve Blvd., was charged by Stow Police Aug. 13 with discharging firearms, a first-degree misdemeanor, and killing or injuring animals, a second degree misdemeanor, after turning himself in.

Tibbs, according to police, admitted to shooting Merlin, a 7-year-old mixed breed dog owned by his neighbors, Kristina and Raymond Cope, last month.

Tibbs told officers that he was shooting a pellet gun with his son when the dog entered their yard and acted aggressive—leading to the shooting, according to police.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges Friday before Stow Municipal Court Judge Kim Hoover.

Tibbs’ case is scheduled for a September trial.

The Cope family plans to pursue the case and has established a fundraising page via GiveForward.com to raise money to pay for court and attorney fees.

“I want justice for Merlin 100 percent,” Kristina Cope told Stow Patch in a previous interview.