Wife charged with killing husband says she was defending her dog, Iowa cops say

A woman is accused of killing her 72-year-old husband, who she said had threatened to hurt their dog, according to Iowa police and news reports.

Cedar Falls police officers were dispatched to a home around 6:30 p.m. June 4 for a report of a domestic dispute and shooting, according to a Facebook post from Cedar Falls Public Safety.

Upon arrival, officers found the body of David Alan Charlton, authorities said.

His wife, 66-year-old Kimberly Ann Charlton, said her husband was physically assaulting her until their family dog stepped in, according to court documents obtained by KWWL.

She told authorities her husband left the room and returned with a walking cane, “threatening to hit the dog” with it, KCRG reported, citing the criminal complaint.

“I’m going to shoot you if you don’t stop,” Kimberly Charlton told her husband, who she said was following their dog in the hallway, according to Iowa News Now.

That’s when she shot her husband in the back, killing him, the news outlets reported.

Kimberly Charlton was charged with first-degree murder, authorities said.

Cedar Falls is about a 65-mile drive northwest from Cedar Rapids.