CALHOUN CO., Mich. -- David Hursley, 54, appeared in court for the first day of testimony in a dog beating trial. Hursley is also accused of shooting his husky mix with an airsoft gun back in February at his Battle Creek home.
Several witnesses took the stand today, including people who said they were present when it all happened. David Hill claimed that Hursley hit the dog in self-defense after it bit he and Hursley. Christoper Mazur claimed the dog only got aggressive after Hursley attacked it.
The responding officer shot it, he said, to put it out of its misery.
Hursley has a lengthy rap sheet dating back to 1981, along with felony convictions. His trial resumes tomorrow morning.
