Suspected dog killer remains free

LYNN – A judge allowed a Saugus man to remain free but to not have any cats, dogs or firearms after police said the man shot and killed his bulldog after it allegedly attacked two children.Richard C. Maltais, 50, of 115 Lynn Fells Parkway, Saugus, pleaded not guilty in Lynn District Court Wednesday to two counts of possession of a firearm without a firearms identification card; possession of ammunition without a firearms identification card; discharge of a firearm within 500 feet of a building; and animal cruelty.”(The witness) said that he turned and saw Maltais shoot the dog in its head three times,” Saugus Police Officer Jeffrey Wood wrote in a report. “(The witness) said Maltais said, ?the dog has been a problem.'”Saugus Police responded at approximately 10 a.m. July 13 to a report of gunshots in the area of Lynn Fells Parkway and Main Street. But officers reported finding nothing in the area.At 1:30 p.m. that day, however, police met with a resident who reported hearing a neighborhood dog barking and then a gunshot.”(The witness) went on to say that he heard the dog barking as usual, but this time it was followed by the sound of a single gunshot,” police reported. “(The witness) said that after the gunshot, he heard a terrible sound of a dog crying in agony, followed by two more gunshots, then silence.”Police said other neighbors reported hearing the same thing and directed officers to the Maltais home.Police said a worker at the home told officers he had seen Maltais kill the dog. Maltais also admitted killing the animal, telling police that “his dog ?Spike’ attacked two small children and that he then shot it to death,” police reported.The worker told police there had been a party at the home the previous evening and some of the guests stayed overnight. The next morning, the worker said he heard a child screaming and saw Spike bearing his teeth and growling at a 1-year-old child he had pinned to the ground, police reported.The worker told police he scooped up the child and pushed the dog away. The child’s father rushed to help and was holding his 8-month-old infant in his arms, the worker told police. The dog allegedly bit the infant in the leg.Maltais allegedly then went into the house without saying anything, brought out a gun and shot the dog. The dog’s carcass was put under the back deck, police reported, smelled and was infested with flies.Police reported Maltais was “remarkably calm for the scene and he showed no outward signs of emotion, even going to the point of offering me a water to drink.”Police reported taking a Sig-Sauer .380 caliber semiautomatic pistol and a .22 caliber Ruger semiautomatic rifle from the home. Maltais said he had gotten the guns eight years ago because gangs from Guatemala were trying to kill his wife, who is Guatemalan. A state trooper friend had told him to get a firearms identification card, and he tried to get one from Saugus Police years ago, Maltais allegedly said. “But ultimately for some reason, he did not acquire it,” police reported.Saugus Animal Control Officer Harold Young tested the dog for rabies. The tests were negative, Young told the Daily Item.Maltais appeared in Lynn District Court Wednesday morning. Essex Assistant District Attorney Katelyn Giliberti requested Maltais be held on $1,000 cash bail on the charges. Judge Cathleen Campbell allowed Maltais to remain free but ordered him to not have any dogs, cats or firearms, according to court documents.Maltais’ attorney could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon. Maltais is scheduled to return to court Aug. 29.