Prosecutor says investigation into death of Dexter police dog is ongoing

The criminal investigation into the death and alleged mistreatment of a Dexter police dog is broadening and continuing, Stoddard County Prosecutor Sawyer Smith said in a statement released late Wednesday.

“Today I assure all Stoddard County Citizens this office is broadening and continuing the criminal investigation, and pursuing justice within the boundaries of legal ethics and under the language of applicable law as it does in each and every case,” Smith said.

Smith said the criminal investigation of alleged animal abuse and animal neglect of Dexter police dogs Apollo and Knox is active and ongoing.

Sawyer said he filed felony and misdemeanor charges last week against one named defendant. These are applicable under Missouri State Law and in his sole prosecutorial discretion, Smith explained.

Phone calls to the Dexter Police Department regarding additional questions about the condition of the dogs over the period of time it is alleged they were mistreated have not been returned as of press time.

Apollo had dropped approximately 26 pounds in the six months prior to its death — nearly 40% of its body weight, officials said in court documents released upon the arrest of a former Dexter officer.

Officer Derrick Durall, the K-9 handler for Apollo, was terminated, according to an executive session vote April 1 by the Dexter Board of Alderman, and has since been arrested.

Durall faces charges of two misdemeanor counts of animal abuse/neglect and two felony charges of animal abuse/second subsequent offense or by torture and/or mutilation while the animal was alive.

He has also been accused of harming Dexter’s previous canine officer Knox.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol concluded an independent investigation prior to the filing of charges.

Near the end of February, it was reported by Dexter police that the K-9 officer Apollo had been found dead inside of his kennel one morning.

At that time, Durall was suspended from duty.

Following Durall’s termination, Trout released an official statement. Durall had been the K-9 handler for the Dexter Police Department since December 2020; and he had served in that capacity since that time.

“It was discovered that Durall had violated department policies and was responsible for the death of Apollo and the neglect of retired K9 Knox,” Trout said.

Trout recommended to the city administrator and the mayor that Durall’s employment be terminated.

Criminal charges were pending in the matter at the time of the press release, and as a result, Trout said no further information would be released at this time.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed by the MSHP, Durall had been the canine officer for DPD since November 2020. In order to hold that position, Durall had to receive approximately 14 weeks of combined training and maintain a current certificate. The certificate was awarded to him May 25, 2023.

Durall was in charge of the active DPD canine officer Apollo, and the previous canine Knox. Both animals lived with Durall.

Apollo was a Belgian Malinois that was born on April 23, 2022, and was purchased by the DPD on April 25, 2023, from Shallow Creek Kennels.

Durall claimed when he spoke to officials he had not noticed the health of Apollo beginning to decline. Durall informed officials he regularly fed both dogs 8-10 ounces of food twice each day. The DPD provides food for the animals through Nestle, in Bloomfield.

Apollo was found dead in his kennel on Sunday, Feb 18, according to the report. The initial assessment from the Dexter Veterinary Clinic revealed Apollo had lost a substantial amount of weight between September 2023 and February 2024. According to the report, Apollo had lost approximately 26 lbs. During Apollo’s September veterinary visit, he was declared as a “perfectly healthy police dog” and weighed approximately 67.2 lbs. At the time of death, he weighed 41.6 lbs.

The report goes on to describe Apollo’s deceased state as having decreased muscle mass, with eyes that were sunken into his head. The report further stated this was a result of severe malnutrition and dehydration. Preliminary results of the necropsy that was performed on Monday, Feb. 19, concluded that Apollo had died as a result if starvation and dehydration. Samples from Apollo’s body were sent to the University of Columbia for further analysis. According to the report, these findings indicated Apollo had pneumonia — which is common in dogs that are malnourished.

The report goes on to state photos of Apollo’s dead body were obtained, and the photos show that the dog’s ribs and vertebrae were protruding from his skin. The report includes information that states the retired dog Knox had last been seen by the veterinarian on Oct. 21, 2022, and it had been concluded that Knox was suffering from “severe heartworms, and severely worn teeth.” It was also determined that Knox had lost approximately 10 lbs. since his last visit and was “generally unkempt.” Knox was described as having a foul odor “even after being washed five times.”