Vt. jury acquits cop who killed dog
10:35 a.m.
Toolbox
By JOHN CURRAN
Associated Press Writer - Published: November 18, 2009
HYDE PARK - A Vermont jury has acquitted a police officer charged with animal cruelty for fatally shooting a neighbor's dog.
The jury in Vermont District Court in Hyde Park began deliberating Tuesday afternoon after Michael Wootton described the April 30 dog fight that preceded the shooting.
Five hours later, the jury returned acquitted Wootton.
Earlier, Wootton testified that he shot the dog to save the life of his own dog.
Taking the stand in his own defense, Wootton said he believed his 15-pound pug, Yoda, would've been killed by the other dog, an 80-pound pit bull mix named Hooch.
He said he saw his dog in Hooch's mouth and decided to shoot him, believing nothing else would separate them.
"My dog was dying. My dog was dying," he told prosecutor Joel Page.
Wootton said he went into his house and got a .45 caliber pistol - not his service weapon - and fired one shot at Hooch, killing him. He then called Vermont State Police and told them what he'd done, saying he believed the dog's owners would be upset when they got home and found out.
Page suggested that with his law enforcement training, Wootton might have shot to wound the animal instead of shooting to kill, but Wootton said he was taught to aim for the largest part of a subject's body. "The fear of losing my dog, of Yoda dying, is what drove me to pull the trigger," he said.
Wootton was put on administrative duties by the Essex Police Department while the charge was pending.
If he were convicted, he could have received one year in prison, a $2,000 fine or both.
30