A Barrow County man was sentenced to life in prison plus 10 years for killing his neighbor after a dispute over dog droppings in his yard, authorities confirmed to Channel 2 Action News on Monday.
Larry Bates confessed to the crime in August 2017, AJC.com previously reported. He shot and killed his neighbor, Paul Allen Wilson, and his neighbor’s dog because the pet was using the bathroom in his yard, Auburn police previously testified.
RELATED: Police: Man confessed to fatally shooting neighbor over dog droppings
The month prior, Wilson was walking his dog early in the morning when both he and his pet were gunned down. The incident was the culmination of an ongoing dispute between the neighbors, police said.
Bates was convicted of murder and animal cruelty.
Right after the shooting, Wilson’s wife, Beth, told Channel 2, “(Bates) just started harassing us about two months ago. He thought our dogs were using the bathroom in his yard.” She said the accusations were false.
MORE: Victim's wife: Neighbor fatally shot husband, pet over dog droppings
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