Deering sentencing set for Tuesday

Craig Deering

AURORA | A man who killed his neighbor’s dog last spring with a a high-powered pellet gun is set for sentencing Tuesday morning. 

Craig Deering, 69, was scheduled for sentencing early last month but a judge delayed the hearing until Tuesday so deering could undergo a psychological evaluation.

Deering pleaded guilty in January to animal cruelty for the May shooting death of his neighbor’s dog, Kaci.

Deering, 69, faces a sentence of up to 18 months in county jail on the misdemeanor animal cruelty charge. He could also be sentenced to probation. 

Before rescheduling the hearing last month, the judge heard about an hour of testimony from Deering’s supporters as well as Kaci’s owner, Dana VanLiew, and her supporters. 

VanLiew and her supporters asked for the maximum punishment allowed by law.

Deering and his supporters, however, said the dog had previously charged at him and cornered him in his yard.

Note: I plan to be in the courtroom for Tuesday's hearing and will post updates here and on the twitter feed. 

-Brandon