Three individuals are being charged with felonies following an intense investigation into pets being blow darted in Lolo last fall.

Deputy Missoula County Attorney Andrew Paul said the months-long investigation has resulted in charges against Tucker Miller, Matthew Breeden and Hayden Barker.

Court documents indicate that two of the individuals are charged with aggravated animal cruelty, and two will also be charged with tampering with evidence, both felonies.

The blow dart attacks began in October, and over 15 different individuals reported their pets had been attacked, and turned the blow darts over to Animal Control. One witness reported that someone purchased a blowgun and several darts at Sportsman's Warehouse. After viewing the surveillance video of the purchase at the store, it was determined that the individuals involved were Miller, Breeden and Barker.

"Breeden said that he and the others began to get nervous after the news of pets being darted began to spread on social media.  Breeden said he and Miller took the blowgun up into the mountains, destroyed it and buried beside a dirt road.  Later, Breeden led Walrod and Gunter to the site where they buried the blowgun.  Walrod seized the blowgun that had been chopped into pieces."

Paul said two of the three are represented by local attorneys who will ensure that their clients appear in Justice Court to hear the charges against them. The court date has not yet been set.

Aggravated animal cruelty carries a possible sentence of up to two years in prison and a $2,500 fine, while tampering with evidence carries a possible 10 year prison sentence and a $50,000 fine.

None of the three are currently on the Missoula County Jail roster.

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