Lawyer calls duck killing at hotel 'a mistake'

The attorney for the Denver man who ripped the head off a tame duck outside a St. Paul hotel said his client is remorseful.

Last update: October 16, 2007 - 9:50 PM

A man accused of ripping the head off a duck is "a fine young man who made a big mistake," his attorney, Michael Colich, said after his client made a short court appearance Tuesday in St. Paul.

Scott D. Clark, 26, of Denver, was charged with felony animal cruelty after he allegedly chased down and ripped the head off of one of the ducks that live in an ornamental pond at the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown St. Paul on Sept. 22. Police have said he was drunk at the time.

Clark has written a letter of apology to the hotel and made restitution, Colich said.

"He understands what he did was wrong," Colich said. "He's extraordinarily remorseful."

But Tim Shields, a lawyer who represents the Minnesota Federated Humane Societies, said, "We don't see intoxication as a defense in this case."

Shields said legislators and his agencies worked hard to institute a felony animal cruelty law "for cases just as this."He now needs to face the music," Shields said of Clark. "This was a vicious act."

Clark spent four days in jail and lost his job with the federal government, Colich said. Clark is "hopeful we can resolve the case," Colich said, but prosecutors have not yet offered a plea agreement.

Clark "hopes to have a career someday," Colich said. A felony conviction would bar him from government work.

Clark's next court date is Nov. 16.

PAT PHEIFER