Urinating puppy leads to fatal shooting

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UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill., May 12 (UPI) -- A Chicago-area retiree faced murder charges Wednesday after gunning down a neighbor whose puppy urinated on his award-winning lawn, authorities say.

Charles J. Clements, 69, of University Park, Ill., was being held on $3 million bond after being charged with first- and second-degree murder in the Sunday night slaying of Joshua Funches, The Chicago Tribune reported.

Police allege Clements became infuriated when a fox terrier pup being walked by the 23-year-old father of two with a third on the way relieved itself on Clements' well-kept front yard. The two men argued and Clements allegedly produced a .45-caliber gun he used to shoot Funches in the abdomen.

Neighbors said Clements, a retired bus driver and ex-Marine, was known for threatening people for walking on his grass, which has garnered him beautification awards, the newspaper said.