Mistrial Declared for Man Accused of Killing Girl’s Dog

A San Fernando Superior Court judge declared a mistrial Thursday in the case of a Canyon Country man charged with killing a dog who was chasing his sheep.

Judge Ronald S. Coen called for a new trial after the jury voted 11 to 1 to convict Ernest Lynn Reubens, 59, of cruelty to animals for shooting a brown and white springer spaniel named Freckles. The jury acquitted Reubens of a second charge of using a firearm in a grossly negligent manner.

During the trial, prosecutors called as a witness an animal behavior specialist who attempted to demonstrate that Cuddles, a sister to Freckles, was not aggressive or dangerous. The specialist draped herself in a sheet, put a hat on her head and darted at a cowering Cuddles. Reubens’ attorney had contended that Freckles threatened the sheep.

Freckles belonged to 4-year-old Erica Owen. Reubens said he did not intend to kill the dog.