Buxton man avoids jail after dog killing plea

Buxton, Traill County (trfnews.i234.me) A Traill County man admitted in court on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, that he shot two dogs in Buxton.

What happened

Prosecutors said the dogs belonged to Megan Olson’s family. The dogs were named Bauer and Jake. Bauer survived. Jake died.

Court statements said the family was at a basketball game when the shooting happened in March. Bauer, a double doodle, was found on a road. Jake, a golden retriever, was found about a mile away.

What prosecutors told the judge

Prosecutors said the dogs had wandered more than a mile from the family’s home. They said the dogs were near the edge of Luther Lerfald’s yard.

Olson told the court the killing changed how her family feels at home. She said the act felt violent. She said it hurt their sense of safety.

Olson said Lerfald tried to hide Jake’s body. She said he placed the dog in a tree line. She said he covered the body with leaves.

Plea deal and penalties

Lerfald wrote an apology letter to the Olson family. The letter was not read in open court.

His lawyer, Dierra Diegel, said the case also affected Lerfald’s family. She said he faced public shaming. She cited drawings and signs left at his mailbox.

The judge accepted a plea deal. The deal did not include jail time. The judge noted Lerfald had no prior record.

Lerfald is 77 years old. The judge ordered a $500 donation to Turtle Mountain Animal Rescue. Lerfald must also pay more than $5,000 in restitution.

What the family said next

Olson said her family plans to move. She said they are selling their two-year-old home. She said her children no longer feel safe outdoors.

Public resources

Readers can visit the North Dakota Court System’s Traill County page for location details.

They can also use the North Dakota Courts public access portal to search case information.

For background on humane treatment laws, readers can review guidance from the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.