WILMINGTON — It’s been months since a Monkey Junction man, Alex Hollinger, allegedly shot and killed his neighbor’s dog, Gibson — but when it comes to getting justice for their slain pet, it appears Gibson’s family will have to wait.
According to Leigh West, Gibson’s ‘mom’ and founder of the Facebook Group Justice for Gibson, it appears Hollinger is planning on entering a plea of not guilty which means the case will have to go to trial. That is not something she, or her family, are looking forward to.
“Our family hoped that Alex would do the right thing and be held accountable for his actions and we are very saddened to hear we will have to live through this all over again in a trial,” West said.
The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office arrested Hollinger earlier this year for felony animal cruelty.
“The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest for felony cruelty to animals. On March 29 an Animal Service Unit (ASU) investigator went to a home … at the request of the owner of a dog who had passed away. The owner learned from the veterinarian that the dog had passed away due to metal projectiles in the dog’s body causing deadly harm,” according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.
“The ASU investigator began her investigation which led to the next-door neighbor … Alex Christian Hollinger was interviewed and the ASU investigator charged him with four counts of felony cruelty to animals. Hollinger was arrested and processed at the New Hanover County Detention Facility where he received a $25,000 unsecured bond and a first appearance today in courtroom 200 at 2 p.m.,” the release continues.
Later, Hollinger was charged with an additional count of animal cruelty for allegedly shooting another one of the family’s dogs.
Related: Man who allegedly killed neighbor’s dog faces another felony for shooting a second dog
According to Samantha Dooies, assistant to the District Attorney, “The case is still set in Administrative Court (no trial date has been set). The next court date is December 9, 2019.”
Port City Daily will continue to follow this case.
