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A judge has denied a motion to dismiss a
felony animal cruelty charge against a Rochester man in his dog's
death last spring.


      Fifty-eight-year-old Kirk Edward Rucker is accused of leaving
his dog in a car for several hours on May 22. The outside
temperature was 80 degrees.


      Rucker's attorney, David Jones, argued that there was
insufficient evidence that Rucker acted intentionally.


      The defense submitted a report from the University of Minnesota
veterinary lab that said the cause of the dog's death was not
apparent.


      But Judge Debra Jacobson said that police reports establish
sufficient evidence for a jury to find that Rucker's conduct was
intentional and the cause of the dog's death.


      The Post-Bulletin reports a plea hearing is scheduled for Jan.
14.

A judge has denied a motion to dismiss a
felony animal cruelty charge against a Rochester man in his dog's
death last spring.


Minn. judge won't dismiss animal cruelty charge

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