Jury awards damages in killing of dog

A Remington man is liable for the death of a family’s dog, a Culpeper County jury ruled this month.

As part of the June 11 civil case judgment, the Grimsley family, also of Remington, was awarded $1,000 for its dog, Red. But they acknowledge that the money won’t bring back a beloved pet and say the case reinforces their concerns about the safety of families who live near an adjacent archery range.

“I’ve never gone to civil court for anything,” 52-year-old Andy Grimsley said. “I’ve had a business for decades and had never done anything like this. We were looking for some justice for Red being shot.”

According to court records and the Grimselys’ attorney, Thomas R. Breeden of Manassas, the jury reached a unanimous verdict.

“The jury vindicated the Grimsleys’ claim that (Red) had been murdered,” Breeden said.

Michael Horst owns the property where Red was found dead in December 2006. The property is also the site of the Blue Ridge Archers Club.

Horst, who has not publicly commented on the case or the dog’s death, could not be reached for comment. His attorney, Jud Fischel of Warrenton, did not return a phone message.

Horst has never faced criminal charges in connection with the case.

Background
The Grimsleys moved to Newbys Shop Road several years ago from Fauquier County. They live on 50 acres and allowed Red to roam free after getting an OK from neighbors.

However, Grimsley and authorities say that in late 2006, Horst called animal services and threatened to kill the family’s dog if he found him on his property again.

State law allows a person to shoot or kill a dog if it is threatening another person or chasing, killing or injuring livestock.

But Grimsley said officials cautioned Horst that simply finding the dog on the property would not be an acceptable excuse for killing the dog.

When animal control called the Grimsleys to notify them of the problem, Andy Grimsley said he bought an invisible fence the next day and began to retrain Red.

Grimsley said the dog got out twice; the second time he never came home.

The archery range was not operating because it is only open February through September. Red was found several days later on an access road that leads to a cell phone tower on the property.

Although a bullet was never found, an investigation showed that the dog appeared to have been shot through the chest.

Grimsley praised Culpeper County sheriff’s deputy Rick McKinley and animal control officer Kim Seibert, saying they handled the incident with professionalism.

“(Siebert) had a similar thing happen to her dog years ago, Grimsley said. “She was very caring and nice.”

Despite not having a direct admission of responsibility from Horst, “I think there was enough circumstantial evidence that seven individuals on the jury … decided that he did intentionally shoot Red,” Grimsley said.

Moving forward
After resolving an expired county permit issue, Blue Ridge Archers continues to operate, according to the Web site bowsite.com.

The site lists upcoming events there on July 18 and Aug. 23.

A nonprofit club for archery enthusiasts, Horst said the range is open regularly for public use and for 4-H students interested in the sport.

The range occupies about 20 acres of the 30-acre site and has about 25 targets, according to the Web site.

In a 2007 Star-Exponent story, Horst did not comment on Red’s death and maintained that the archery range is safe.

“People have the misconception we are dangerous people, and nothing can be further from the truth,” Horst said.

“Everybody that’s complained has never set foot in there at any of our shoots,” Horst said. “We’ve had it checked out by knowledgeable people — it’s one of the safest setups.”

Grimsley stressed that he doesn’t have a problem with hunting, but instead takes issue with Horst’s threat to kill the dog and the circumstances surrounding Red’s death.

The fact that Red was killed either with an arrow or with a bullet near a house and a roadway for roaming has “lots of irresponsibility written all over it,” Grimsley said.