Hansen, 70, shot Alison Queair's German shepherd, Solo. The dog, which had escaped from her pen and was roaming the neighborhood, was a month away from her fourth birthday when she died.  Queair and Hansen have lived two houses away form each other since 1998, on a residential street near Tozier Track, off Tudor Rd.

According to police, Hansen told them he shot the dog in self-defense.  But Queair doesn't buy that.  ''My dog wouldn't hurt a flea,'' she said. ''That man deliberately shot my animal.''

Queair said Hansen has been complaining about Solo for two years, making false reports to animal control about the dog barking and being vicious. Once, Hansen tape-recorded Solo and other dogs barking, she said.

One report went on the dog's record at animal control, Queair said, adding that she plans to contest it. Hansen often acts as if he's the ''neighborhood marshal,'' she said.

Hansen, who has been charged in the shooting, refused to comment when reached by telephone.

Bert Dedries, who lives a few houses away, said Queair was ''a good quiet neighbor'' and that Solo was ''as friendly as friendly can get.'' Solo didn't bark much either, he said, and was usually properly penned. ''The only time that dog ever got out was by pure accident or when (Queair) came home and opened the door and Solo came out to greet (her).''  What happened to Solo was ''totally out of line,'' Dedries said.

Queair said Solo escaped from her pen over the weekend. She tried not to worry; Solo had all her tags and a bright pink collar, and the neighbors knew her.

On Sunday morning, while Queair was at work, Solo and another dog walked into Hansen's driveway. Hansen saw the pair when he went out to feed his medium-size dog, Tinker, police said.

Hansen told police he thought the two dogs had attacked Tinker. He tried to shoo them away, but one turned on him, he said.

Hansen took Tinker inside, got his gun, came back out and shot Solo, police said. Hansen called police to tell them what had happened.

Queair learned of Solo's death about an hour later. Her baby-sitter and neighbor called her at work. Queair talked to her 8-year-old son, Wyatt, who was crying over the telephone. The boy had recently penned a school essay about Solo titled ''The Talking Dog'' and was devastated.

Hansen was arrested on charges of cruelty to animals and second-degree misconduct involving a weapon. He was released that same day on $500 bail.

Reference:

The Anchorage Daily News