Fired Dexter K9 handler facing charges after death of dog
DEXTER, Mo. (KBSI) – The K9 handler for the Dexter Police Department was fired after his K9 partner was found dead in his kennel in February.
The Dexter Board of Alderman voted to terminate the employment of Derrick Durall on Monday, April 1,
Durall was serving as a K9 handler on February 18 when his K9 partner, Apollo, was found dead in his kennel.
Dexter Chief of Police Hank Trout says an internal investigation found that Durall violated department policies and was responsible for the death of Apollo and the neglect of retired K9 Knox.
Chief Trout recommended to the city administrator and mayor that Durall’s employment with the Dexter Police Departmnet and City of Dexter be terminated.
Chief Trout says Durall was injured on December 18, 2023. After an internal investigation, he returned to work on light duty without K9 Apollo.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control conducted a criminal investigation. The reports were forwarded to the Stoddard County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
After reviewing the investigation, The Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed charges for probable cause to believe the offenses of felony animal abuse and misdemeanor, animal neglect was committed by the defendant.
Durall is charged with, Two counts of E felony animal abuse, and two counts of C Misdemeanor animal neglect.
The misdemeanor charges alleged that defendant had K9 Apollo and K9 Knox in his care and custody by reason of being a Dexter Police Departments Canine Unit Handler and knowingly, failed to provide adequate care for the animals by not feeding or watering the animals resulting in K9 Apollo’s death and K9 Knox’ serious injuries.
The felony charges alleged that Durall purposely caused injury and suffering specifically, severe, dehydration and starvation or malnourishment to K9 Apollo and K9 Knox.
The injury, and suffering was the result of torture, consciously inflicted by the Durall, while the animals were alive, because Durall was charged with the caring custody of the dogs through his employment as an officer, he disregarded the animals need to drink water and eat food.
Durall was charged previously in a separate and unrelated matter by the Stoddard County Prosecuting Office on December 29, 2023, with the Class C Misdemeanor of Private Peace Disturbance, and that charge remains pending at this time.
Related story: Dexter PD K-9 handler on administrative leave after K-9 found dead inside kennel
