Oct 24, 2022

Dispute over dog ownership lands one man in jail

Posted Oct 24, 2022 4:12 PM

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post

Microchipping got a dog back to its rightful owner, while another man found himself in the Saline County Jail Sunday.

Officers were called to the Friendship Center in Centennial Park, 746 Commanche Avenue, at approximately 11 a.m. Sunday for the report of a dispute.

Richard Vignery, 58, of Salina, told police that his dog, Meka, had gotten loose. He said he located the dog in Centennial Park where Ian Mathews, 56, of Kansas City, Mo., had the dog on a leash, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning. The two men began arguing about ownership of the dog.

Vignery told police that his dog was chipped. Salina Animal Services was called to scan for the chip, which revealed that Vignery was, indeed, Meka's owner.

While an officer was attempting to cite Mathews for theft of lost or misplaced property, Mathews allegedly attempted to slap the citation book out of the officer's hand.

<b>Ian Mathews.</b> Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office
Ian Mathews. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office

Forrester said Mathews was then arrested on the following requested charges.

●Battery of a law enforcement officer

●Theft of lost or misplaced property