"You know the drill."
That's how Fremont County Circuit Court Judge Jason Stebner greeted Kerri Johnson on Tuesday as she appeared for arraignment on the latest in a string of misdemeanor animal-at-large citations tied to her Great Pyrenees livestock guardian dogs.
Before calling individual cases, Stebner advised everyone in the courtroom of their constitutional rights.
When Johnson's case was called, the judge noted she was appearing on "another" animal-at-large citation before reading the charge.
"I am guessing you want to enter a not guilty plea," Stebner said.
"Yes," Johnson replied.
The citation stems from a May 20 incident at Buckhorn Flats and carries a maximum penalty of $200.
Johnson is scheduled to return to court Wednesday for a status conference involving several additional animal-at-large citations that remain pending.
While Tuesday's proceeding was brief, the dispute behind it has consumed a rural neighborhood southwest of Kinnear for years.
Dead Calves
What began as complaints about roaming dogs has evolved into one of Fremont County's most contentious rural disputes.
According to court records, neighboring ranchers have reported problems involving Johnson's dogs since at least 2021.
One neighbor, Anna Shurtleff, told investigators she amassed more than 700 photographs and videos documenting incidents involving the dogs.
The Shurtleffs, who raise cattle and horses, reported finding dead calves, injured cattle and cows so stressed by dog attacks they abandoned their young, according to court filings.
A Wyoming Game and Fish investigation into a dead calf on neighboring rancher Chris Eberline's property earlier this year found tracks investigators described as too large to be coyotes and too small to be wolves.
The affidavit says the tracks were believed to be from either domestic or feral dogs.
Court records show Johnson paid fines tied to animal-at-large citations in April 2024 and April 2025. Another citation was dismissed in April 2025.
Additional citations filed between September 2025 and March 2026 remain active.
Surveillance Cameras
Court records show Johnson has been cited multiple times under Wyoming's animal-at-large statute.
Rancher Chris Eberline previously told Cowboy State Daily she has lost multiple calves and spent thousands of dollars installing surveillance cameras across her property in an attempt to catch the dogs on video.
The effort has included multiple cameras spread across roughly 1,000 acres, along with monthly subscription costs to store footage.
"We're just tired of it," Eberline said in a previous interview.
She estimated a market-ready calf can be worth nearly $3,000.
Last month, Eberline reported finding another dead calf on her property. A deputy with the Fremont County Sheriff's Office and an officer with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department responded to investigate.
The results of that investigation have not yet been released.
At one point, Eberline alleged tensions between neighbors became so heated that one confrontation included the statement: "You shoot my dogs, I'm shooting you."
Two Different Narratives
Johnson has consistently disputed the allegations.
While neighboring ranchers portray the dogs as a persistent problem, Johnson has publicly described them as working livestock guardian dogs that have themselves become victims.
In social media posts reviewed by Cowboy State Daily, Johnson said a dog named Thor was shot and rushed to a veterinarian while protecting livestock.
In another post, she claimed another dog named Ed was found dead from a gunshot wound.
"My faith in humanity is beyond shattered," Johnson wrote.
Johnson has not responded to multiple requests for comment from Cowboy State Daily.
For now, the legal battle continues.
Tuesday's arraignment lasted only a few minutes, but it represented another chapter in a dispute that has generated years of complaints, repeated citations, allegations of livestock losses and bitter divisions between neighbors.
Multiple citations arepending and another court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday.
Kolby Fedore can be reached at kolby@cowboystatedaily.com.
