One person has been fired and another placed on leave by Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner after an investigation was started into the killing of a domesticated dog.
On Wednesday, both Hefner and Stoddard County Prosecutor Sawyer Smith formally requested an independent investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
“I respectfully request, from your agency, an independent investigation regarding a potential criminal situation involving an incident within our County Government,” said Hefner in his request for an investigation. “A deputy was dispatched to a residence Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, about an injured dog that was later euthanized. Several concerns have been raised about the handling of this call and accusations have been made about criminal wrongdoing. I feel the alleged criminal accusation would be a conflict for our office to investigate.”
“I am requesting an official investigation into the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department regarding events that took place on or about Aug. 27, 2023, which involved a deputy shooting a dog at Otter Slough Conservation Area,” said Smith in his request.
“My responsibility as the elected prosecutor is to conclusively evaluate whether the law enforcement involved in this situation acted within their scope of legal authority,” Smith continued. “And whether they abided by applicable Missouri Statute(s).”
On Friday afternoon, Hefner announced disciplinary action following the department’s internal investigation.
“In the process of conducting our internal investigation into the killing of a domesticated animal (dog) on Aug. 27, 2023, it is my opinion, upon reviewing the case, the deputy who responded to this call did not act appropriately during the performance of his duties,” said Hefner in a news release. “It is my decision to terminate the deputy’s employment with the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Office immediately.”
“It is also my decision the supervising corporal did not properly supervise the deputy, and offer proper guidance while handling this call,” Hefner continued. “The supervising corporal has been reprimanded, placed on unpaid administrative leave, and demoted from his position as corporal.”
Bryan Pennington said he was messaged Sunday on Facebook saying his dog Parker had been found and might be injured. He contacted the area resident who had located the dog. The individual said the dog raised his head and looked at them but was not really moving and they were not sure if he was injured.
Pennington said Parker was lazy like that at times and had been out since the night before. He had taken off when some storms moved in. Pennington said the individual told him the sheriff’s office picked the animal up to get it some help or figure something out.
Pennington said he immediately called the sheriff’s office. He said they asked his address and other questions and Pennington asked where Parker was. He asked if Parker was at the vet, with the officers, etc. He said he was told the officer would contact him.
Pennington said he was contacted 12 minutes later and the officer said he was on Grant Street and asked if he could come by. Pennington said he could. Pennington said he thought maybe Parker would be with him but when the officer arrived, Pennington said it was written all over his face what had happened.
He said the officer asked his wife for photos of the dog. Pennington said he asked multiple times where the dog was. He said the officer responded Otter Slough.
Pennington said he asked the officer, “You shot him didn’t you?” The officer asked if Pennington would like to follow him. Pennigton said his wife went with him and they followed the officer.
Pennigton said they pulled off of ZZ into Otters Slough. He pulled into a gravel area toward what he thought could have been some duck hunt blinds. Pennigton said they stopped by a ditch.
Pennington asked where the dog was at and the officer pointed. He said he asked the officer if this was normal to bring them out there and do this without trying to find the owner. He said the officer said he was told to do this by his supervisor.
Pennington said a friend of his cremated Parker. Pennington said he does not want those responsible to go to jail and affect their future as far as working anywhere. He said he would like to see them step down. Pennington said he is still hurt and angry about the situation.
“I have received no official communication from the Missouri State Highway Patrol at this time about the independent investigation into this matter,” said Hefner on Friday. “Regardless our report regarding this incident will be forwarded to the Stoddard County Prosecutor’s Office for review.”