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
The judge obviously has no love for animals. He could have kept the longersentice but that judge felt justice was 15 days. Unbelievable how sad for animal abuse to not keep the sentence the watt it was. The K-9 was part of the force. He is mentally sick. I don’t know how this is justice because it’s NOT💔🥵.
You’re an unfair citizen. I ben you were a shitty officer too otherwise you would still be there. Your community won’t show you any love when you most need it.
I hope that POS cop and judge die a very slow and painful death.
Absolutely f*ing digesting. Sick psychotic who starved that poor heroic dog becuase he knew he could get away with it. Just why?!? I’m so sorry beautiful soul…no one can betray you to hurt you ever again!! 🌈✨🐾💔🪽🙏
15 Dys behind bars is laughable but this is no laughing matter. This “perpetrator” deserves at least 5 years as he took responsibility of taking care of a service dog and because of him and his actions, that beautiful service dog is no more. He should be dismissed and pay fines for every count of animal cruelty perpetrated by him.
Fifteen days behind bars is not enough for what he did to the K9. He should be banned forever from owning & being around all animals!
This guy must be a real POS! Would anyone miss him?
Why would prosecution make a deal when it’s obvious it would’ve been a slam dunk to give him the maximum sentence? If it’s the judges choice well, we know how that is. All judges are rich because they’re all on the take.
Abuse is abuse = whats the line between animal and human abuse?!?!?!?
Absolutely disgusting crime and he got off so lightly. No real justice here fir the poor dog.
Absolutely disgusting crime and he got off so lightly. No real justice here fir the poor dog.
A Lowlife Neanderthal that should be severely punished, fined and jailed for cruelty and abuse. No excuses here. People will be watching what happens here.?it’s becoming a huge problem where grubs think they can harm and torture innocent sentients without a voice. It has to stop. The law has to step up and protect the innocent.
All animal abusers, especially police officers, like him are scumbags and should be jailed for at least a month’ these Judge’s must doe better job in their sentencing these assholes as animal cruelty is a growing human concern. They must make it more punishing.
This SHIT COP should be SAVING lives, not CAUSING DEATH!!! He’s IRRESPONSIBLE AND A PIECE OF SUBHUMAN WASTE.
I am so tired of seeing law “enforcement” officers practically (and sometimes literally) get away with murder. The only law they enforce is the one they want . And don’t get me started on “paid administrative leave”. You, me and everyone else would get canned from our job permanently let alone being paid to sit at a desk and twiddle our thumbs. As for the judge…. if judges come up for election in the Dexter, Missouri area I suggest that the tax payers start a campaign against this judge so he doesn’t get re-elected .
Derrick A. Durall must die!! Hang that evil cruel scumbag and make him burn!!! Derrick A. Durall is a devil and he belongs in hell ASAP!!!
What a little piggly wiggly tool.
Would be fun to dance with the woose in some dark alley one day. Wait! His address can be found on public records! We actually may dance!!
Fuckin garbage! Fuckin law. This POS needs Karma quickly. What a vile disgusting monster.
It is absolutely disgusting that POS only spent 15 days in jail!! WTF??? He should have been starved just like that poor dog!! And what happened to the other dog?? I am so sick of seeing law enforcement getting away with stuff like this!!
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!!!!
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!!!!