Apple Valley Man Charged With Throwing Dog, Breaking Its Pelvis

An Apple Valley man has been charged with animal cruelty after police say he threw his wife’s dog across a room—seriously injuring the animal—because it had repeatedly defecated indoors.

Michael Richard Fessler, 26, will be arraigned on the misdemeanor charge at 8:30 a.m. July 1 in Dakota County District Court in Apple Valley. He faces a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $700 fine.

According to court documents, Apple Valley police were called to an Apple Valley animal clinic on April 15 on a report of animal abuse.

Fessler’s wife, who was at the clinic, allegedly told police she had brought the dog in after Fessler called her at work and told her that the dog was hurt.

“Fessler informed [his wife] that he had thrown the dog on the ground out of frustration because he was upset about it repeatedly defecating inside the residence,” the police report says.

The veterinarian who treated the dog for a broken right pelvis and an injured left pelvis told authorities that the dog would need “significant treatment” to heal properly, according to the report, and compared its injuries to those of a dog hit by a car.

An Apple Valley police officer later spoke to Fessler about the incident. Fessler said the dog had repeatedly defecated in the house, and that he had become “more agitated” with the animal, according to the police report.

Fessler allegedly told police he threw the dog about 10 feet away from the mess “out of frustration.”

“Fessler stated that once the dog hit the ground, her leg also hit their bottom stair and she began to scream in pain,” the police report says. “Fessler stated that he called [his wife] to take the dog to the clinic because he was embarrassed.”