Charge dismissed against pastor who shot neighbor's dog

GIRARD

The misdemeanor criminal charge filed against Pastor David Murphy of Vienna for shooting his neighbor's dog last month was dismissed today in Girard Municipal Court. Atty. Michael Scala, serving as Girard prosecutor in the absence of Atty. Michael Bloom, asked Judge Jeffrey Adler to dismiss the charge, but it can be re-filed, Judge Adler said. Scala was not immediately available to explain the reason for the dismissal. But Murphy's attorney, Gary Rich, said the reason was because of the Ohio trespassing law, which says the injuring animals law Murphy had been charged under does not apply when someone kills an animal that is trespassing on his property. It does, however require Murphy to post money with the court for damages incurred by the animal's owner. A hearing will be scheduled later to determine those damages.