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Case #6360 Rating: 2.8 out of 5
Dog beaten, allegedly by police officer
South Bend, IN (US)Incident Date: Friday, Nov 25, 2005
County: St Joseph
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Curt E. Seufert
Case Updates: 11 update(s) available
St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department Patrolman Curt Seufert is on administrative leave after a domestic dispute went too far. At this hour, the patrolman is being investigated for alleged animal cruelty.
On November 25, 2005, South Bend Police were called out to a home within the city limits.
Police say a boyfriend and girlfriend living together got into a fight. The woman, Jen Radican, works for the South Bend Police. Her boyfriend is Curt Seufert, who works for the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department. Radican was on her way home when the fight started.
When she got home, she found one of her two large dogs hiding in the bedroom. She then found her other dog, a 90 pound Akita dead in the basement.
According to the police report, Seufert had beaten and killed the dog.
St. Joseph County Police Department Sheriff Frank Canerecci says, "She went upstairs and found her one dog cowering underneath her a bed and she persuaded it to come out. Then, she started searching for the other dog, and she found the other dog had been in the basement for some time. At that time she determined that the dog was dead."
Autopsy results from a veterinarian in Plymouth show that the dog suffered severe spinal injuries.
Since the two involved in the investigation both work at police departments, the Indiana State Police are now handling the animal cruelty investigation.
Meanwhile, Seufert is on administrative leave by the sheriff's department pending an internal investigation of a possible violation of the merit book.
Case UpdatesA former St. Joseph County police officer was led in handcuffs from a courtroom Wednesday morning after a judge sentenced him to serve two months in prison for cruelty to an animal.
Curt Seufert, wearing a black suit over a purple shirt and a dark blue tie, told Judge John M. Marnocha during his sentencing hearing that he regretted killing his girlfriend's Akita in 2005.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I apologize."
Seufert's attorney, Mike Tuszynski, told the judge that the former cop is retraining himself to pursue a new career and that the incident has "cost him a great deal."
As an aside, Marnocha said the case drew a lot of community concern, even more than cases of child abuse or even murder. The case attracted national attention, including a letter to local law enforcement from comedian Richard Pryor, now deceased.
"This one seems to have struck a chord," Marnocha said.
The judge also ordered Seufert to pay $127.50 to his former girlfriend, Jennifer Radican. | Source: WSBT - Jan 9, 2008
Update posted on Jan 9, 2008 - 2:00PM |
According to reports, a judge has postponed sentencing a former police officer for killing his girlfriend's dog, saying he needed more time to review the matter.
Curt Seufert faces up to a year in jail after having pleaded guilty to misdemeanor animal cruelty. The former St. Joseph County police officer has admitted to beating an Akita named Lexi to death in November 2005 after the couple, who were then living together, had argued about part-time jobs.
His former girlfriend, South Bend police officer Jennifer Radican, subsequently obtaining a protective order against Seufert, saying she feared he would hurt her next.
Judge John Marnocha had been set to sentence Seufert on December 12th, but he said he needed more time to review a report agreed to by prosecutors and Seufert, stipulating facts to which both sides agree.
The report states:
Lexi died as a result of Seufert's conduct, but the evidence does not support the conclusion that Seufert intended to kill her.
The cause of death was related to internal bleeding from a ruptured spleen, which is not an injury that a person could "intend" as a practical matter, nor is it an injury that would be apparent after it occurred.
The evidence shows two to three distinct injuries, including the injury to the spleen, which supports the conclusion that the incident occurred in a short period of time, most likely within seconds.
Prosecutors do assert that Seufert's conduct was severe, but believe "the above information is relevant to a fair understanding by the court."
Marnocha noted that in sentencing a defendant, he typically can read police reports or a probable cause affidavit, which states the facts upon which prosecutors base charges. But this case originated from a grand jury indictment, so there is no such document to review.
Prosecutor Michael Dvorak said he had no problem with the delay. He declined to comment on whether he thinks Seufert should receive any jail time.
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Mark Roule "intends to make a lot of comments at sentencing ... about the manner of death of the animal and the actions its owner took afterward," Dvorak said. "So it's not a plead guilty, stand silent. We're going to lay out detail on what occurred and how it occurred. We're going to leave it to the court's discretion on what to impose."
Seufert resigned in January 2006 and was indicted a month later. He pleaded guilty last month.
His attorney, Michael Tuszynski, told the judge that Seufert is receiving counseling and attending college in pursuit of a new career.
Marnocha set his sentencing for Jan. 9. | Source: WSBT.Com - Dec 12, 2007
Update posted on Dec 13, 2007 - 3:42PM |
A former St. Joseph County police officer pleaded guilty on November 5th to charges of animal cruelty in the 2005 killing of a dog, an incident that attracted national attention.
Curt Seufert, 33, who worked as a road patrol officer, admitted to killing his girlfriend's Akita in November 2005 after an argument he had with her. His girlfriend, a South Bend police officer, came home to find one of her dogs cowering in an upstairs bedroom and the other dead in the basement.
The dead dog had a broken leg and back.
Seufert faces up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine. He is to be sentenced Dec. 12. | Source: South Bend Tribune - Nov 5, 2007
Update posted on Nov 8, 2007 - 1:17PM |
Curt Seufert will appear in court next on October 25, 2007 for a pre-trial conference. Trial is set for November 8, nearly two years after the date of the alleged offense.
Seufert, a former St. Joseph County Sheriff's deputy, is accused of beating an Akita owned by South Bend police officer Jennifer Radican in November 2005. The incident allegedly occurred after the couple had a verbal dispute in her home before she left for work. When she returned home, she found one of her two dogs cowering in the bedroom. Her other dog was found dead in the basement. According to the police report, the dog had been beaten to death.
A grand jury indicted Seufert on a misdemeanor charge of cruelty to an animal in February 2006. If convicted, he could face up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
He ultimately resigned from his position with the Sheriff's Office. | Source: Case # 71D010602CM01188
Update posted on Mar 30, 2007 - 5:12PM |
A grand jury indicted a St. Joseph County police officer accused of killing his girlfriend's dog. Curt Seufert, 32, of South Bend was indicted Wednesday on a misdemeanor charge of cruelty to an animal. If convicted, he could face up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine. He resigned last month after three years with the county police.
Seufert is accused of beating an Akita owned by South Bend police Officer Jennifer Radican in late November. The case has attracted attention from animals rights activists across the country. Comedian Richard Pryor and his wife sent a letter to the sheriff expressing outrage about an animal cruelty case a week before Pryor died in December.
Seufert's attorney, Michael Tuszynski, declined comment Thursday. Seufert is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 23. | Source: Fort Wayne News - Feb 9, 2006
Update posted on Feb 10, 2006 - 10:21AM |
A St. Joe County police officer calls it quits after allegations he brutally beat his girlfriend's dog to death. On January 9, 2006, the sheriff's department announced the resignation of officer Curt Seufert. But giving up his job may be the least of his problems now that the prosecutor's involved.
Sheriff Frank Canarecci read the words of an officer who'd never been in trouble with the department before. If Officer Curt Seufert had not resigned, the sheriff would've asked a review board to dismiss him for two violations. In November 2005, Seufert allegedly beat and killed his girlfriend's dog. Jennifer Radican is a South Bend cop. Police say the beating happened after Radican and Seufert had a fight. The case has drawn national attention -- including a letter from the late Richard Pryor.
Seufert's problems with the police department may be over, but now he faces possible criminal charges. The prosecutor says he's going to give the case to a grand jury. If Seufert is convicted of two misdemeanors or a felony, Canarecci says he will personally make sure Seufert can never be an officer again. The sheriff says if Seufert did kill the dog, he has no business carrying a gun. Prosecutor Mike Dvorak won't comment on the case now that it's going to a grand jury. But, back in November 2005 he told News-22 that it is a misdemeanor to beat an animal and it's a felony to torture or mutilate an animal. | Source: WSBT News - January 12, 2006
Update posted on Jan 12, 2006 - 5:54PM |
Prosecutors have decided, not to decide if a St. Joseph County police officer should be charged, in the death of his girlfriend's dog. The decision instead, will be left to a grand jury, at a date that has yet to be determined.
On January 6, 2006, the prosecutor's office offered no further explanation in announcing that the case would go to a grand jury.
Seufert has been on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. | Source: WNDU News - January 6, 2006
Update posted on Jan 6, 2006 - 10:05PM |
On December 15, 2005, a South Bend police officer told a judge she was afraid she could be the next one hurt if her ex-boyfriend, a county police officer, was not prohibited from carrying a gun. Jennifer Radican, 27, made the comments during a hearing to extend a protective order she sought after she arrived home early Nov. 26, 2005 to find one of her dogs dead in the basement and the other cowering in an upstairs room.
Her boyfriend, Curt Seufert, 31, is alleged to have killed the dog after the couple had a verbal dispute at her northwest-side home before she left for a part-time job. Seufert is on leave from his road patrol job with the St. Joseph County Police Department while the prosecutor's office considers criminal charges and the county police conduct an internal investigation. Seufert and his lawyer, William P. Stanley, told Superior Court Judge Michael P. Scopelitis they had no objection to the protective order being extended for the maximum of two years that Radican requested.
As Scopelitis debated whether to leave the standard requirement of no gun possession in the order, he asked Radican's opinion.
"I don't think he ought to be able to carry a gun, a knife, a crossbow or any dangerous weapons," she replied. When asked for explanation, Radican said, "I feel he's mentally unstable. ... I could be next."
She said Seufert's conduct had escalated during their relationship. Radican alleged he first started throwing inanimate objects when he was angry; he then kicked her dogs and choked a dog; and "then I came home to find my dog dead." "Next could have been me. That's why I believe he should not possess a firearm," Radican added.
In extending the protective order, originally issued Nov. 28, 2005, Scopelitis forbade Seufert from carrying a handgun at all. Seufert was ordered to turn over to county police his personal .40-caliber handgun. Seufert said he previously had turned in his service revolver when the sheriff placed him on leave.
Scopelitis told Seufert that if he returns to duty, he or his lawyer can ask for a hearing on the issue of carrying a handgun. The protective order also forbids Seufert from stalking or contacting Radican or going to her home or her mother's home.
When Radican told the judge she did not believe "a piece of paper" -- the protective order -- would prevent Seufert from carrying a gun, Scopelitis took issue with her. The judge said people who work with domestic violence victims both locally and nationally find protective orders make a significant difference in reducing domestic violence acts.
No one on either side would comment as they left court. | Source: South Bend Tribune - December 16, 2005
Update posted on Dec 19, 2005 - 6:44PM |
A St. Joseph County Police officer accused of beating his girlfriend's dog to death could face animal abuse charges. On December 13, 2005, Indiana State Police took their report to the prosecutor's office.
On November 25, 2005, 31-year-old Curt Seufert allegedly beat his girlfriend's dog to death. His girlfriend, 27-year-old Jen Radican, is employed with the South Bend Police Department.
Now, the prosecutor's office will decide if Seufert will be charged. Meanwhile, an internal investigation at the Sheriff's Department continues and Seufert is still on paid administrative leave. | Source: WNDU News - December 13, 2005
Update posted on Dec 13, 2005 - 9:57PM |
Police continue to investigate an alleged case of animal abuse involving a St. Joseph County cop. Patrolman Curt Seufert is accused of killing his live-in girlfriend's dog during a domestic dispute. The case is expected to be turned over to the prosecutor's office sometime next week.
Suefert is currently on paid leave from the force. It is unclear whether he'll face any charges. | Source: WNDU News - December 6, 2005
Update posted on Dec 6, 2005 - 10:59PM |
The Humane Society of the United States is speaking out about a case of alleged animal abuse in South Bend. St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department Patrolman Curt Seufert is accused of beating his girlfriend's dog to death during a domestic dispute.
The humane society sent a letter today to St. Joseph County Prosecutor Mike Dvorak. The letter asked to prosecute Seufert, whether it is through jail time or counseling.
The case is still under investigation by the Indiana State Police. Seufert is currently on paid administrative leave for the sheriff's department. | Source: WNDU - November 30, 2005
Update posted on Nov 30, 2005 - 7:32PM |
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