A Columbia Falls property owner allegedly drew a gun on a pet owner last month in a disagreement over the animal’s choice of location to relieve itself.  

Alan Dean Hawkins, 63, faces one felony count of assault with a weapon in Flathead County District Court in connection with the Sept. 19 confrontation. He pleaded not guilty at his Oct. 16 arraignment before Judge Danni Coffman.  

The victim told Columbia Falls Police officers that he was in the alley behind the 800 block of Fifth Street West when a man, later identified as Hawkins, pointed a handgun with a green laser sight at him and yelled "bang," according to court documents. The two had previously argued about the victim's dogs using Hawkins' property as a bathroom, the victim said.  

During a subsequent interview with officers, Hawkins allegedly admitted to having a gun during the disagreement. Investigators later recovered a black handgun with a green laser sight from Hawkins' home, court documents said.  

If convicted, Hawkins faces up to 20 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].