[nagdu] Man sentenced to probation, restitution for dog attack in Rochester, MN

[Ginger Kutsch]

Man sentenced to probation, restitution for dog attack in Rochester, MN

Jul 12, 2011, 

By Matt Russell

The Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

 

URL: http://www.postbulletin.com/news/stories/display.php?id=1460176

 

The man found guilty of being responsible for a Siberian husky that attacked
and killed a service dog in April has been sentenced in Olmsted County
District Court to one year probation, and to pay more than $10,000 in
restitution.

 

Richard Ray Derr, 55, is not the owner of the dog that attacked the poodle,
but was with it at the time of the incident. Derr was convicted on July 6 of
bodily harm caused to a service animal by a dog, a misdemeanor. 

 

According to police reports, Derr was with the husky outside the Salvation
Army in downtown Rochester on April 4 when the dog grabbed the poodle from
the mobility scooter of a woman passing by.

 

The husky shook the poodle violently as Derr stood by, the report alleges.
The poodle, named Tinkerbelle, died after being taken to an emergency
veterinary clinic.

 

The husky, named Hannah, was declared dangerous by police after the
incident. The dog was later euthanized, according to Sgt. Rob Miller.

 

Judge Robert Birnbaum ordered Derr to pay $10,625 in restitution.

 

Derr requested a separate hearing to challenge the restitution amount, to
verify the out-of-pocket amount paid by the victim for a new service dog,
and to seek an order setting restitution payments at $5 a month, which his
public defender said is commensurate with his income.

 

The restitution hearing is scheduled for Aug. 8.

 

Birnbaum dismissed the other charge filed against Derr - great or
substantial bodily harm caused by a dog.