Dexter, Missouri – There is widespread outrage over the sentencing of a former Dexter Police Officer who was charged after an active-duty police K9 in his care starved to death, and another retired K9 was found severely neglected. Derrick A. Durall, formerly a K-9 handler, faced two felony animal abuse charges, and two misdemeanor animal neglect charges, stemming from the death of K9 Apollo, and retired K-9 Knox.
On August 24, 2026, Durrall pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor animal abuse and was sentenced to one year in the Dunklin County Jail. But the judge suspended execution of the sentence and placed him on two years of supervised probation instead. Because of the suspension, Durall faced just 15 days behind bars.
Durall was responsible for the department’s active K-9, Apollo, as well as retired K-9 Knox. Both dogs were housed in separate kennels at Durall’s home and the department provided the kennels and food. Durall was entrusted the care of these K9s, yet one dog died at just 41.6 pounds after losing approximately 25 pounds, while the other survived with severe heartworms, severely worn teeth and significant weight loss.
Timeline
December 2020: Durall becomes a Dexter Police Department K-9 handler.
September 2023: Apollo’s previous veterinary visit; he weighed roughly 25 pounds more than he would at his death.
December 18, 2023: Durall is injured and later returns to light duty without Apollo.
February 18, 2024: Apollo is found dead in his kennel. Veterinary examination reveals severe malnutrition and dehydration; he weighs 41.6 pounds.
April 1, 2024: Dexter terminates Durall’s employment.
April 2024: He is charged with two felony animal-abuse counts and two misdemeanor animal-neglect counts.
February 2026: Jury trial scheduled for June following Durall’s not-guilty plea.
August 24, 2026: Durall pleads guilty to two misdemeanor animal-abuse counts and receives the suspended one-year sentence, 15 days actual jail time, two years’ probation and $8,900 restitution.
Durrall became a K-9 handler for the Dexter Police Department in December 2020, and he was fired on April 1, 2024.
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77 Comments
this P.O.S. should have done way more time!! permanent ban on ever owning any animals!!! that P.O.S. Judge needs to lose his job!!!!
Vigilante justice needs to mete out the punishment this creep truly deserves. The judge too.
Karma, bastard!!!!!!!!!
This cop needs a bullet! Sounds like a corrupt justice system. The judge needs to go! He must be an animal hater!
Ex cop, of course no jail time. Good ole boys club happening here. Horrible judge!
Totally, old boyz network makes me puke!
Totally, makes me puke!
Another example of why so many innocent animals lose their lives at the hands of these sociopaths. Those in charge of punishing these lowlifes for their crimes are just as guilty of being evil and corrupt as those committing these crimes. They do not impose adequate punishment for the cruelty committed by these criminals!
Taken him off the K-9 program, at the very least.
Come one! This useless clown needs far worse than that!
pos if it was anybody else it would of been worse
He should have gone to
Prison. Not a slap on The wrist. Ban him from animal ownership and law enforcement.
He should have gone to
Prison. Not a slap on The wrist. Ban him from animal ownership and law enforcement.
it should be illegal for any person to be cruel to a K9 dog, with harsh punishment who ever it is
it should be illegal for any person to be cruel to a K9 dog, with harsh punishment who ever it is
This jerk is scum! He deserves a punishment that is much more severe! Animal cruelty laws need to be much stronger and punishments more severe and enforced. 15 days for what this idiot did is not nearly enough! This is shameful!!!!!
Same to him.
THIS THING IS NOT A MAN IN ANYWAY! WHILE SMILING IN A PICTURE.
& THE JUDGE WHO LET HIM GO,BASICALLY,IS NOT A MAN OF FAIR JUDGMENT. OR THAT JUDGE HATES DOGS?.KARMA WILL COME TO YOU.,AS ALL DOES TO ANYONE HATEFUL,SELF CENTERED,&NO CONCIENCE. GOD=DOG,A GIFT FROM GOD.KEEP CHILDREN& ELDERLY FAR FROM THIS SCUM.
THIS THING IS NOT A MAN IN ANYWAY! WHILE SMILING IN A PICTURE.
& THE JUDGE WHO LET HIM GO,BASICALLY,IS NOT A MAN OF FAIR JUDGMENT. OR THAT JUDGE HATES DOGS?.KARMA WILL COME TO YOU.,AS ALL DOES TO ANYONE HATEFUL,SELF CENTERED,&NO CONCIENCE. GOD=DOG,A GIFT FROM GOD.KEEP CHILDREN& ELDERLY FAR FROM THIS SCUM.
THIS THING IS NOT A MAN IN ANYWAY! WHILE SMILING IN A PICTURE.
& THE JUDGE WHO LET HIM GO,BASICALLY,IS NOT A MAN OF FAIR JUDGMENT. OR THAT JUDGE HATES DOGS?.KARMA WILL COME TO YOU.,AS ALL DOES TO ANYONE HATEFUL,SELF CENTERED,&NO CONCIENCE. GOD=DOG,A GIFT FROM GOD.KEEP CHILDREN& ELDERLY FAR FROM THIS SCUM.
This guy is a monster. Starving dogs to death is barbaric. 15 days is a joke. Should have been 15 years.
This Asshole must be banned from owning any Animals in the future. This is a real class Idiot who is a danger to all animals.
The creep is a piece of garbage. Obviously a horrible job of evaluating him as a hire and for having a K-9 partner. He deserves the worst. Bless those pups who gave everything.