MOyotehunter_w_hounds
New member
This was in my local weekly newspapar, and occured here in my own state, I thought I would share it with the rest of the houndsman.
According to Sherman Wilson, Missouri Sporting Hunting Dog Association, on January 6, 2002, J.R. Rose of St. James, David Tipton of Vichy and Mike Ridenhour of Belle, were hunting rabbits on a 600-acre tract of ground that lies in Maries County, north of a 60-acre tract owned by Ralph Allen of Vichy. Margie Spurgeon, a relative of Tipton, owns the 600-acre tract. A rabbit was chased off the Spurgeon property onto the Allen property, upon hearing the dogs, Allen took his 30/30 rifle to the back of his property and shot four of the dogs.
When Rose, Tipton, and Ridenhour heard the shots and the crying of the dogs they went onto the Allen property to check on the well being of the dogs. (In a previous visit to the area, Allen had given Tipton permission to hunt on his property.) Upon arrival they saw Allen walking back to his pickup with a gun, reach inside for more ammo, then walk back into the woods. As the hunters got closer to the scene they saw Allen’s footprints in the snow, one hunter then yelled at Allen. At that time Allen then appeared behind them and answered their call. When confronted, Allen denied shooting the dogs, and the police were called.
While waiting for the police to arrive, the hunters located the dogs lying in blood and 30/30 casings were found in the snow next to Allen’s footprints. One of the dogs had tried to run away, but was found by following a trail of intestine left behind by the dog in his attempt to escape.
Allen was tried and convicted of animal abuse in Phelps County in a criminal hearing on Aug. 16th, 2002. James Rollins of Waynesville defended him and Richelle Christenson, Maries County Prosecutor, led the case.
Allen was sentenced to 40 days and nights in jail and was ordered to pay for his jail keep. Allen, being an employee at the jail was fired due to having a felony on his record.
The first civil trial was held at the Maries County Courthouse, where Steve Daniels of Rolla defended Allen. Rose, Tipton, and Ridenhour represented themselves and asked the court for $1500 apiece for three of the dogs and $800 for a young dog owned by Rose. Judgment was granted in favor of Rose, Tipton, and Ridenhour. Allen filed a request for a trial de nova, which is an application for a new trial. At that point the case was transferred to the Circuit Court of Maries County.
The honorable David Gregory Warren heard the second trial. Daniels again represented Allen and Jason Macpherson of Mountain Grove represented the plaintiffs. The proceedings were again at the Maries County Courthouse in Vienna, Missouri.
At this time, Rose, Tipton, and Ridenhour requested punitive damages and award for emotional distress in addition to the lost value of the dogs. The court granted judgment in the amount of $1500 for three dogs, $800 for the fourth dog, plus $300 per plaintiff as an award for emotional distress. All plaintiffs received judgment amounts in June 2004.
Some landowners do not realize that it is illegal to kill dogs that do not belong to them. This court order ruling upholds the rights of dog owners throughout the state of Missouri.
Source: The Home Press La Plata, Missouri July 14, 2004
Its great to see these god owners make this person (he ain't a man) pay for what he did. Way to go fellas!!
MOyotehunter
According to Sherman Wilson, Missouri Sporting Hunting Dog Association, on January 6, 2002, J.R. Rose of St. James, David Tipton of Vichy and Mike Ridenhour of Belle, were hunting rabbits on a 600-acre tract of ground that lies in Maries County, north of a 60-acre tract owned by Ralph Allen of Vichy. Margie Spurgeon, a relative of Tipton, owns the 600-acre tract. A rabbit was chased off the Spurgeon property onto the Allen property, upon hearing the dogs, Allen took his 30/30 rifle to the back of his property and shot four of the dogs.
When Rose, Tipton, and Ridenhour heard the shots and the crying of the dogs they went onto the Allen property to check on the well being of the dogs. (In a previous visit to the area, Allen had given Tipton permission to hunt on his property.) Upon arrival they saw Allen walking back to his pickup with a gun, reach inside for more ammo, then walk back into the woods. As the hunters got closer to the scene they saw Allen’s footprints in the snow, one hunter then yelled at Allen. At that time Allen then appeared behind them and answered their call. When confronted, Allen denied shooting the dogs, and the police were called.
While waiting for the police to arrive, the hunters located the dogs lying in blood and 30/30 casings were found in the snow next to Allen’s footprints. One of the dogs had tried to run away, but was found by following a trail of intestine left behind by the dog in his attempt to escape.
Allen was tried and convicted of animal abuse in Phelps County in a criminal hearing on Aug. 16th, 2002. James Rollins of Waynesville defended him and Richelle Christenson, Maries County Prosecutor, led the case.
Allen was sentenced to 40 days and nights in jail and was ordered to pay for his jail keep. Allen, being an employee at the jail was fired due to having a felony on his record.
The first civil trial was held at the Maries County Courthouse, where Steve Daniels of Rolla defended Allen. Rose, Tipton, and Ridenhour represented themselves and asked the court for $1500 apiece for three of the dogs and $800 for a young dog owned by Rose. Judgment was granted in favor of Rose, Tipton, and Ridenhour. Allen filed a request for a trial de nova, which is an application for a new trial. At that point the case was transferred to the Circuit Court of Maries County.
The honorable David Gregory Warren heard the second trial. Daniels again represented Allen and Jason Macpherson of Mountain Grove represented the plaintiffs. The proceedings were again at the Maries County Courthouse in Vienna, Missouri.
At this time, Rose, Tipton, and Ridenhour requested punitive damages and award for emotional distress in addition to the lost value of the dogs. The court granted judgment in the amount of $1500 for three dogs, $800 for the fourth dog, plus $300 per plaintiff as an award for emotional distress. All plaintiffs received judgment amounts in June 2004.
Some landowners do not realize that it is illegal to kill dogs that do not belong to them. This court order ruling upholds the rights of dog owners throughout the state of Missouri.
Source: The Home Press La Plata, Missouri July 14, 2004
Its great to see these god owners make this person (he ain't a man) pay for what he did. Way to go fellas!!
MOyotehunter