McCune mayor turns himself in on three charges
By Justin Messner
The Fort Scott Tribune
The mayor of McCune, Don Call, turned himself in to authorities Wednesday after a warrant citing three charges was issued by Crawford County Attorney Michael Gayoso.
Calls arrest comes three days after he shot and killed two dogs belonging to Duane Whal from his car. According to Crawford County Sheriff's office, Call shot and killed the two animals after receiving reports they chased two young children.
According to Crawford County Sheriff Sandy Horton, when a deputy arrived on scene, Sunday, he was met by Call. Call then reportedly advised the deputy, he had received a call from Tim and Sandy Gomez, McCune, who said the dogs chased their two children and Sandy.
Call defended his actions Wednesday after being released from custody on $3,000 bond, saying the animals were a consistent danger to the community.
"The dogs have been a real problem," said Call. "If anybody walked by that yard they (dogs) would come out of the yard and chase them down."
Call said repeated attempts at handling the problematic animals went without answer.
"We had called them (police) four times before," he said. "That is what they have in their records anyway. I think it's been more than that. We've written letters to the city and the city itself has written letters to him (Wahl)."
Crawford County Undersheriff Dan Peak said Call's actions were "troubling" and inexcusable whether the dogs posed concerns in the past or not.
"You have to handle these things on a case-by-case basis," said Peak. "No one called us until after the fact.
"It is our belief that at the time the dogs were shot they were not acting aggressively towards Mr. Call." He was acting on a statement he heard from someone else. He shot the dogs from his vehicle and the fact that he discharged his firearm inside the city of McCune is very troubling to us."
Call reportedly left Wahl's home after shooting the animals returning shortly after with a trailer to discard the dogs.
"I didn't just want to leave them lying there in the front yard," he said. "I brought the deputy to where they were."
Call is facing two counts of cruelty to animals and one count of criminal discharge of a fire arm. Gayoso has reportedly chosen to prosecute the two cruelty to animals charges as felonies.
If convicted, Call could face a mandatory 30 days to one year in jail, $500 to $5,000 fine and psychological evaluation for each count of cruelty to animals.
Peak said this case is a prime example of the problems faced by law enforcement if victims do not follow through with complaints.
"If there is action taken, it is going to be from a victim," said Peak. "We have been doing our job, we have responded out there four times. But not one time has there been a victim willing to file a report. We have spoken to him (Wahl) on those times and he has complied with us in those instances."