Postman Pleads Not Guilty to Charges in Slaying of Dog

A Pacoima postman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges he shot to death a German shepherd on his Arleta postal route last month.

Floyd Bertran Sterling, 34, pleaded not guilty in San Fernando Municipal Court to felony charges of carrying a concealed weapon, using a firearm in a grossly negligent manner and cruelty to animals, with the special allegation that he used a firearm in the commission of the crime.

Sterling is accused of shooting the dog Dec. 26 just as the owner, Tammie Brody, stepped from her house to give him a Christmas gift. Brody said Sterling was “freaking out” and shot the dog for no reason.

But Sterling’s attorney, Salvatore Ciulla, said outside court Tuesday that the dog was attacking the postman. After his arrest, Sterling told authorities that the dog had bitten him before.

“This is a very sad incident, but it wouldn’t have happened if the dog had been tied up,” Ciulla said.

Sterling refused to comment on the case except to say that he likes dogs. He was accompanied to court by his wife, mother and niece.

If convicted, Sterling faces a maximum sentence of five years and eight months in prison. Sterling is on administrative leave from the Postal Service and was released from jail on $5,000 bail.

Sterling is on probation for carrying a loaded firearm. A hearing on the misdemeanor violation is scheduled for Feb. 6.