Neighbor Shot in Face After Dispute Over Barking Dogs in Troy

A man was shot in the face 9 p.m. Friday in an altercation with a neighbor over barking dogs on Atlas Street, Troy Police said.

Police arrested David George Keats, 73, of Troy and charged him with attempted murder in the incident, according to a media release from the .

According to police, witnesses stated that the altercation began when Keats let his three dogs outside and the dogs began to bark. According to the media release, Keats' 52-year-old next door neighbor yelled at the dogs to be quiet and kicked the fence. Keats then ran up to the victim, yelled, "Don't tell my dogs to shut up," and began shooting at the victim.

One bullet hit the man in the face, piercing both cheeks, and four more shots were fired at the victim as he was running away, according to the report.

Witnesses to the shooting directed responding officers to where Keats was sitting on his porch. Officers approached Keats, who told officers his gun was unloaded and sitting behind him on the porch. Officers took him into custody without incident. 

Keats was arrested and charged with assault with attempt to murder and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Keats was arraigned in front of Magistrate Holtz and was released on a $1 million personal bond. He has been ordered not to return to his Troy home.

Keats' pre-trial examination is scheduled for Aug. 27 in front of Judge William Bolle in 52-4 District Court.