Published: November 25, 2009 07:45 am      

Three charged in hunting dog deaths

KALKASKA -- Authorities charged three downstate men in the shooting death of a local man's hunting dogs.

David Carwile, 18, and Stephen Carwile, 51, both of Swartz Creek, and Brandon Miller, 18, of Oxford were arraigned Tuesday in Kalkaska County.

David Carwile is charged with two counts of killing or torturing an animal, the use of a firearm during a felony and conspiracy to obstruct justice. His father, Stephen Carwile, is charged with two counts of being an accessory after the fact to a felony and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Miller is charged with one count of killing or torturing and animal, use of a firearm during a felony and conspiracy to obstruct justice.

Kalkaska resident Jon Otto was hunting on state land in southeast Kalkaska County in September when two of his hounds were shot. Kalkaska County Prosecutor Brian Donnelly said investigators believe David Carwile and Miller shot the dogs, and Stephen Carwile helped them try to cover it up.

Otto encountered the men shortly after the shooting, but they denied shooting the dogs. Otto's friend took a picture of the license plate on the group's truck, and authorities tracked the men down.

A Jan. 4 preliminary examination is set.''