On September 23, 2022, Missoula Police Department officers responded to a disturbance at a residence in the 2500 block of Great Northern Avenue. Officers received information that a male had made comments about wanting to kill the family dog. Police Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold picks up the story. 

“While officers we heading to the incident address, the suspect, Cody Neagle, stated ‘if the cops are called my family is going to be harmed',” Arnold said. “Officers used several techniques to try to contact the involved parties, but got no response. Officers ended up forcing the door open due to the severity of the crime reported. Neagle was taken into custody without further incident.” 

Neagle was placed under arrest and Mirandized. He agreed to speak with the officer and stated he was not involved in any verbal argument with his wife, but did have a couple of drinks with her. 

“While speaking to Neagle, the officers observed blood on Neagle’s clothing,” Arnold said. “Officers took additional statements, which included reporting Neagle had been kicking and punching the family dog and then approached the juvenile and yelled at the juvenile, ‘I will end you’. An additional victim intervened and continued to argue with Neagle. Neagle went to the bedroom and the victim found Neagle had obtained a large knife and was attempting to stab the dog.” 

The juvenile said Neagle was drinking alcohol while on the phone and he became upset at the family dog. According to court documents, Neagle began yelling at the dog and was kicking and punching it. The juvenile then yelled at Neagle and that is when he became angry towards the juvenile. 

It was at this time that the juvenile’s mother exited her bedroom and began to argue with Neagle. The mother and Neagle eventually left the living room and entered the bedroom, where they continued to argue.  

The juvenile said that she went to the bedroom and saw Neagle attempting to stab the dog with a large knife. The juvenile also reported that while Neagle was attempting to catch the dog, the dog bit Neagle and was able to escape the room. 

The officer then spoke with the mother who said Neagle had gotten intoxicated, irate, and had begun to physically harm the family dog. The mother reported that she attempted to stop Neagle from harming the dog and that she had to physically grab Neagle and hit him, but he still refused to stop. 

Neagle was transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently being charged with felony assault on a minor and felony attempted aggravated animal cruelty. 

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.

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