Former Carter County 911 Dispatcher Garrett Birchfield appeared in General Sessions Court Friday in connection with charges related to the killing of a neighbor’s dogs and dumping them on Teaberry Road in early April.

Birchfield, 26, is charged with four counts of intentional and unlawful killing of animals, aggravated burglary, criminal impersonation, theft over $1,000, and tampering with or fabricating evidence.

Judge Keith Bowers set Birchfield’s preliminary hearing for June 7 at 9:30 a.m.

Birchfield, who is free after posting a $49,000 property bond, is being represented by Atty. Ryan Curtis.

The Roan Mountain man allegedly went to a neighbor’s house on April 1 and removed her dogs, which were in a cage, and shot them. He later disposed of them on Teaberry Road. He then returned to the lady’s home, posing as an investigator, removed the bullet casings from the yard and during the course of the events took four guns from the lady’s home.

He initially denied his actions, but later admitted during questioning at the sheriff’s department to committing the act.

Birchfield was dismissed from his 911 dispatcher job the same day charges were placed against him.

Neither Birchfield nor his attorney would comment on the case following the hearing.