Posted: 2/14/06
Restitution date set in sheep-killing case
A restitution hearing in a sheep killing incident will take place on March 23 at 9 a.m. in Third District Court in Caledonia.
Sarah Marie Burfield, 21, and Travis Lee Moen, 28, both of Spring Grove, were found guilty on January 20 by Judge James Fabian of owning a dog that killed domestic livestock, a misdemeanor.
Fabian ruled that Burfield and Moen owned the two Rottweilers that killed 11 sheep on April 21, 2005 at the farm of their neighbors, Robert and Roxanne Finnesgard, in section 11 of Black Hammer Township. Three more sheep had to be put down due to the attack, and 14 more were severely injured.
The case went to trial before Judge Fabian on January 13.
Burfield stated that she owned one Rottweiler herself and owned the other in partnership with Moen. Fabian ruled that Moen had an ownership interest with the dogs at the time of the incident. The dogs were at the property Moen shared with Burfield at the time of the incident, and he is responsible for their actions, Fabian wrote in his ruling.
Deputy John Kulas stated that he saw dried blood on one of the Rottweilers when he went to the Burfield property at 19696 County Road 11 on the day of the attack. That corresponded with a statement by Robert Finnesgard that he had seen blood on one of the Rottweilers when he came home from work that afternoon and discovered the dead sheep. He scared the dogs off by firing a gun.
Burfield is represented by Gregory Schultz, Caledonia. Moen is represented by attorney Ross Phelps of La Crescent. Assistant county attorney Suzanne Harnack is representing the county.
A sentencing date will be set after the restitution hearing.
Lyons hearing February 22
A Houston man charged with assault will make his court appearance on February 22 at 10:30 a.m.
Danny Lee Lyons, 25, was charged on January 9 with two counts of second degree assault and one count of third degree assault, all felonies, on January 9.
He allegedly assaulted a man in the parking lot of a Houston bar. Lyons broke the manís leg with a tire iron, according to the criminal complaint.
Lyons, who is free on $10,000 bail, made his initial court appearance on January 25. His application for a public defender on January 12 was denied by Judge Fabian.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com