Duck killer sentenced to workhouse
Associated Press
Originally published 05:38 p.m., March 26, 2008
Updated 05:38 p.m., March 26, 2008
Photo by Rocky Mountain News
Scott Clark
ST. PAUL, MINN. — A former Colorado man who ripped the head off a tame duck in a St. Paul hotel has been sentenced to 21 days in the workhouse and 80 hours of community service.
Scott D. Clark pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty in January. He apologized in Ramsey County District court on Wednesday and says he takes full responsibility for his actions.
Clark was at the Embassy Suites in downtown St. Paul on Sept.
22nd when he cornered a duck from the hotel's lobby pool and ripped its head off. Police say he was drunk.
Clark was living in Denver at the time and now lives in on a farm in Missouri. He spent four days in jail and lost his job as an auditor with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Comments
Posted by bspaete on March 26, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought the sentence and he lost his job was adequate punishment.
Posted by fortyfive on March 26, 2008 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
dumb cluck......
Posted by GWM on March 26, 2008 at 9:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a quack!
Posted by Shaupeen on March 26, 2008 at 11:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, at least he owned up to his stupid actions.
Posted by happymike44 on March 27, 2008 at midnight (Suggest removal)
Wow I bet his mama is really proud of him.I am tired of people who say I was drunk.That poor duck had no fear of people and this guy took advantage of that to commit his crime.That poor animal suffered a horrible and agonizing death.Most serial killers start by killing animals and move onto people.Also if you will abuse a animal then you will abuse a child or spouse.This guy should have been forced into anger management and pyscotheraphy.To get control of his issues.I just don't think 80 hours is enough he should have to work in a shelter for abused and abandonded animals.Then he will truly understand the toll of suffering that people place on animals.I own a dog that someone threw him out of a moving car,why because they did not want him anymore.Me I am hearing impaired and he has proven to be better to me then most humans,no matter what happened to him he still likes people.Me I don't think I could forgive that easily.So that is why I feel that way about the poor duck.
Posted by joggle on March 27, 2008 at 12:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I love animals as much as any (sane) person, but I really don't know what the correct punishment would be for something like this. Ducks aren't very high on the totem pole as far as human sympathy is concerned. On the other hand, to do such a cruel thing certainly deserves punishment of some sort. I mean, it's one thing to go hunting when you try to get a good, clear shot on your target (like the heart) so that the prey doesn't suffer, but to grotesquely kill a tame animal is just wrong. Losing his job and (probably) being forced to move in addition to the punishment judged by the court is probably adequate. I'm really not sure what more the court could have done for such a bizarre crime.
Posted by Crub on April 25, 2008 at 6:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
These things happen...and they will continue to happen. Life goes on.
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