Deseret News | Reader comments: Stink raised over skunk case

Reader comments
Big stink over skunk case

klmel | 5:59 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

What a ridiculous waste of taxpayer time and money! If anyone should be "prosecuted" or disciplined in this situation, it is the animal control personnel who left the trap in a such a inappropriate spot and then did not monitor it adequately. Ryan Turner ought to be suing the City of South Salt Lake for harassement.

Cory | 6:01 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

It is nice to know that there are still people in the world who know, instinctively, the difference between right and wrong. Ryan Turner did the right thing and should not penalized for it at all. With all of the crimes being committed in the world it is ridiculous that a case is being made of this matter. I guess I will add this to the list of reasons why I don't live in Utah anymore.

Common Sense | 6:11 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I cannot remember how long it has been since the various Law Schools quit teaching Common Sense, if they ever did. To prove that just look at an attorney and my case will be made.

Comments continue below

What... | 6:19 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

a waste of tax money to even let it go to trial. Come on Public Officials, wake up...

Wow | 6:25 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

This case really stinks! Sorry about the pun, but what else can you say?

Why | 6:39 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

not put the skunk on the stand as a star witness for the prosecution? Give me a break.

Henry | 7:14 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

This case is perhaps the most ill-conceived miscarriage of justice that I have ever heard about. The South Salt Lake Animal Control officer was totally negiligent in placing the trap where it would be in the summer sun. Given the fact that s/he did that, s/he was negligent in not checking the trap first thing every morning. That officer should be charged and prosecuted for animal cruelty. And then when a citizen steps forward and does the right thing to relieve the animal's needless suffering, the city attorney has the stupidity and audacity to bring charges against that citizen. I can't believe how government officials can be so totally negligent and stupid in one case.

Spoc | 8:01 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Wouldn't an animal control officer convicted of animal cruelty be fired or at least have their officers certification removed for dereliction of duty?

And isn't the City Attorney an elected office? If not, the City Council is and one or the other needs to be removed from office in the next election.

Crazy | 11:32 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Do these Animal Control people not care at all? This is nuts.

Who is the attorney? | 11:53 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

How will the city attorney be held accountable for this folly?

Will he have to pay out of his own pocket for this misuse of public funds?

News Dawg | 8:17 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

There's plenty of skunks in the Salt Lake Valley. Looks like some of them found their way into the South Salt Lake City Attorney Office.

Money wasters.... | 8:56 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Well this is South Salt Lake. In the last 3 years since the mayor was voted in, he has raised taxes twice, and continues to spend the city money on stupid things. So of course they are going to have a stupid court case instead of the officers looking for the "real" criminals like the ones who tied up the people in thier apartment and stole thier belongings. This is on my moms street. It is more important for SSL to harrass residents and make the residents think they are all God's and have all the power. They aren't in it for the good of the people or citizens of SSL. They are in it for the glory and money they get for doing nothing of good use to me as a resident.

Common Sense ain't so Common | 9:44 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

"A wrongful appropriation charge is defined as someone temporarily depriving someone of their property without their permission to use it for their own benefit."

How is moving the trap a benefit to the defendant? After all, it had a skunk in it, and he moved is CLOSER to his house! It sounds like they have no case and that this is just a stupid waste of time and money. This whole situation will only benefit the lawyers involved. Skunks, indeed.

washcomom | 10:45 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Is this how money is earned? Good grief! Ryan - you did the right thing. Police? You did the wrong thing. Someone didn't do their job and has used Ryan as a scape goat. for total shame.

Matthew | 11:00 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

The jury is apparently unanimous, not guilty.

Courts of revenue, not justice | 11:20 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Times are tough economically, and the City of South Salt Lake is obviously trying to create defendants and shake down every possible one for fine money.

If you're such a defendant, request a lawyer and a jury trial.

If you're a juror, vote not guilty if the case doesn't involve a victim.

And if you're a voter, vote out municipal officials who are responsible for prosecutions such as these.

Double standard | 11:21 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

What is the rule on trappers who trap animals, I believe that they are required to check their traps periodically.
If this is the case, the South Salt Lake official who placed the trap should also be brought up on charges, otherwise this is a double standard.
Regardless of trapper rule or not, people who mistreat animals are getting jail time. The skunk was caged and not cared for or terminated in a reasonable amount of time, so this could easily be construed as mistreatment of animals. Put SSLake on trial for animal abuse...

Prosecutor to Judge Janice Frost | 11:29 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

I looked at the court docket. The trial (before a judge, not a jury ... the defendant could have requested a jury because he was charged with a Class C misdemeanor, making a conviction for wrongful appropriation a jailable offense) is set for 3:30 p.m. today.

The prosecutor -- who has the ability to dismiss the case -- listed is Janice Frost, but maybe prosecutor Paul Roberts is handling the case now that Frost was appointed by Gov. Huntsman to be a juvenile court judge in Davis County.

Bringing ridiculous prosecutions like these signals to the power elite that you're willing to handle their dirty work.

I pity the children and adults who will have the misfortune to appear before Judge Frost.

Tooele Skunk | 11:37 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

It must be a really slow day at the Police and Attorney's offices to follow up on such a stupid charge! Why not go after jaywalkers or people who spit in the street - REAL criminals? These idiots should be put on the national news to explain their thinking or lack of it!

oh come on | 11:37 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

these are my tax dollars we're talking about! what an absolute joke.

geeze | 11:38 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

They must be hard up for work if this is going to court. what a laugh

Sensitive Nose | 12:00 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Something really stinks here and it is not the skunk! Will the skunk be in court today as evidence?

C.W. | 12:11 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

I suspect SSL didn't have any idea they would get this kind of publicity. Just figured they'd be able to collect an "easy" fine amount.

Thanks for doing the right thing Ryan!!

To Money Wasters | 12:13 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

First is seems that you have an axe to grindd with the leadership in South Salt Lake.

I grew up there, waht a joy it was. My mother still lives there, its a clean wonderful place. The Mayor and other public officials do a magnificant job for the people.

With this said, the animan control officer involved, not the police, acted far beyond common sense. No charger need be filed, no court time used. The judge should dismiss this case outright, or the city attorney could drop it prior to any court action.

However remember that we all make mistakes. Give the offocer involved a break this time. If this kin of action continues, thats a different story.

Suzann | 7:40 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

I would like to contact Mr. Turner and offer my support in any way necessary be it money, time, whatever. He did the right thing and should be congratulated for it, not penalized. Why are government agencies continually trying to punish those humans who still have an ounce of "humane" in their psyche? If he needs to spend one penny or spend one minute in jail let's hold a major protest!

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