A Vermont jury has acquitted a police officer charged with animal cruelty for fatally shooting a neighbor’s dog.
The verdict followed more than 5 hours of deliberations.
The jury in Vermont District Court in Hyde Park began deliberating Tuesday afternoon after Michael Wootton described the April 30 dog fight that preceded the shooting.
Wootton testified that he shot the dog to save the life of his own dog.
Taking the stand in his own defense, Wootton said he believed his 15-pound pug, Yoda, would’ve been killed by the other dog, an 80-pound pit bull mix named Hooch.
Wootton was put on administrative duties by the Essex Police Department while the charge was pending.