We Are Done Covering This Story

A “big story” happened in Torrington before I ever stepped foot in Goshen County for the first time the second week of June of this year. I had read about it the day I applied for the job as managing editor of the Telegram. Everyone knows the story: a man shot and killed two dogs on his property, and with a little help, disposed of the two dogs’ bodies in the North Platte River.

Today, we are publishing a letter to the editor about this story, and I am penning this editorial. It ends here. The criminal proceedings have concluded. The person whose dogs were shot to death had her say in a subsequent article, and pandemonium has ensued on Facebook and in public throughout Torrington.

I have had a chance to meet with both the person who pulled the trigger, and the pet owner. They both have compelling sides of the story. We have reported on this case and quoted both of these individuals, and posted these stories online and on social media.

I have received more phone calls, emails, and office visits regarding this story than all of the other stories Brenna Ralston and I have written combined since I started here. There is no reason for the Telegram to rehash this, barring any possible civil litigation.

I have read the comments posted online, and this is not the kind of social interaction I expect to see often in this community. I am, as editor, responsible for the latest opening of this wound, as I felt it necessary to let the aggrieved dog owner have her say in print.

It was my decision to publish the story last Wednesday, September 23, and it is my decision that we will no longer be covering this story going forward. We aren’t into sensationalism. There are other news outlets in this state that can provide that.

The letter to the editor written by Alexis Ballard and this editorial here are officially our end of coverage of this as far as the criminal matters are concerned.