Former SDSU police chief sentenced in animal cruelty case

By Doug Kott | The Brookings Register

BROOKINGS — Former SDSU Police Chief Timothy Heaton appeared before Circuit Judge David Wheeler for sentencing at the Brookings County Courthouse on May 19.

Wheeler sentenced him to two years in the South Dakota State Penitentiary and 60 days in the Brookings County Detention Center. The penitentiary time was suspended upon conditions imposed by the court.

On Feb. 27, Heaton entered a guilty plea to one felony count of cruelty to animals.

Heaton was originally charged with five felony counts of cruelty to animals. But in a plea agreement with prosecutors, he pleaded guilty to one felony count.

Each count was attached to one of the five dogs found inside a Brookings house owned by Heaton.

He was arrested by the Brookings Police Department on Nov. 23.

According to a probable cause statement from the Brookings County State’s Attorney’s Office, the BPD received multiple complaints of animal neglect at a residence at 1008 Third St. owned by Heaton. Heaton’s son, Kyer, admitted that the German shepards at the residence urinated and defecated indoors and the residence had no active heat source.

According to the statement, “Based on these reports, witness statements and officers’ firsthand observations the residence contained multiple dogs living in conditions consistent with neglect. The ongoing complaints and observations indicated that the animals’ living conditions were inadequate and presented clear health and welfare concerns.”

The dogs were taken to a local veterinarian, whose evaluation showed multiple indicators of neglect and abuse, according to the statement.

After nearly three decades in the University Police Department, Heaton resigned from his position at SDSU shortly after his arrest.

The case was prosecuted by Minnehaha County State’s Attorney Daniel Haggar. Brookings County State’s Attorney Dan Nelson did not prosecute the case due to a conflict of interest.

Heaton was represented by Brookings attorney Anthony Teesdale.

— Contact Doug Kott at [email protected].