All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Riverton, WY) – The arraignment for 64-year-old Riverton man Randall Murrell has been set for August 19.
Murrell was arrested on July 21 for felony cruelty to animals, after the Riverton Police Department (RPD) received photos/videos of a puppy being abused at his residence in Riverton.
In one photo, the puppy’s mouth was being muzzled shut with duct tape, while the videos showed the puppy being hung by its collar (before eventually being dropped “from some height” to the ground) in one, and what appeared to be someone hitting it with a stick in another.
In both videos, only the hands of the perpetrator are visible, Court documents state.
Upon arrival to the residence, RPD learned that Murrell and his housemate were reportedly watching the puppy for a friend who had yet to return to pick it up, and he had become “frustrated” with its barking and that the owner hadn’t taken it back yet.
After being informed by RPD that they had video of him abusing the dog, Murrell told officers that he “has to deal with the unhoused population daily behind his garage,” and that he “may have taken the frustration out (on) the wrong subject.”
Murrell was then shown the footage (which he speculated was taken by his housemate) and told law enforcement that he was indeed the person in the videos, but claimed that he only used the stick to threaten the puppy because it “would not listen to him.”
RPD later made contact with the housemate who had left the residence with the puppy, which was then taken into custody and placed at a Riverton animal shelter. (The information affidavit did not indicate if the original owner had been contacted during this process.)
The felony cruelty to animals charge was later dropped to a misdemeanor following his August 7 preliminary hearing, according to a motion to amend the information that was filed and accepted on the same date.
A misdemeanor cruelty to animals charge holds a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment and a $750 fine.
Murrell’s arraignment will take place on August 19.
County 10 will provide updates on the case as they become available, which can be viewed here.