MSU quarterback Ruddick charged in animal abuse case

Missouri State quarterback Breck Ruddick will be arraigned on charges of cruelty to animals and dog at large on Nov. 15, stemming from a September incident that left a friend's dog with a broken jaw and several missing teeth.

Ruddick was ticketed by Springfield Animal Control on Sept. 26, for cruelty to animals and dog at large, and Springfield Chief Municipal Prosecutor Carl Yendes announced the filing of charges Thursday afternoon.

Ruddick is accused of beating a friend’s dog he was caring for in the early morning hours of Sept. 20, leading to the loss of several of the dog's teeth and surgery to repair its broken jaw.

The case was reviewed by the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney's Office earlier this week, and Greene County Prosecutor Dan Patterson declined to file state charges, referring the issue back to municipal court.

Yendes had asked the state to file one charge for animal cruelty.

In a letter to Yendes, Patterson cited as a reason to not file state charges the fact that the city code for animal cruelty requires only proof that the injuries were knowingly inflicted, while in a state prosecution, the government would have to prove that the injuries were intentionally or purposefully inflicted.

The letter also cited the fact that the city of Springfield routinely prosecutes animal cruelty charges and has done so in cases where the injuries were greater than in this case.

Both charges are being prosecuted as municipal ordinance violations, each carrying maximum penalties of a $1,000 fine and/or up to 180 days in jail.

The cruelty to animals charge is Section 18-9 of the City Code, which reads: “No person shall be cruel or inhumane to any dog or cat by beating torturing, kicking or any other physical abuse.”

The dog at large charge is Section 18-53, reading: “It shall be unlawful for any person owning, controlling, harboring, possessing, or having the management or care of any dog to permit such dog to run at large.”

Ruddick was suspended indefinitely by Missouri State coach Dave Steckel when the allegations became public.

After an investigation by the school’s Office of Student Conduct, Ruddick was allowed to return to the team, but he won’t play in games until the 2017 season. At the time that was announced, Steckel and Director of Athletics Kyle Moats indicated Ruddick had admitted to the allegations.