Bellingham man accused of killing corgi dies before trial

BELLINGHAM — A man charged with killing a neighbor’s dog in Bellingham has died before his case could go to trial.

Deputy prosecutor Shannon Connor told the Bellingham Herald that 56-year-old David William Latham died last week of natural causes.

Authorities say Latham was annoyed by a barking dog, so he armed himself with a rifle, walked across the street, aimed over a fence and shot 1-year-old corgi Molly in front of her owners. Molly was not the dog barking.

Latham was charged with first-degree animal cruelty, brandishing a weapon, and criminal trespassing in September. He pleaded not guilty and was released on $20,000 bail. He surrendered his dog and could not own another while awaiting trial. After his case garnered attention on social media, Latham lost his job and moved.