Suspended Missouri State QB charged with animal cruelty
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Suspended Missouri State quarterback Breck Ruddick has been cited with animal cruelty and allowing a dog to run at large.
Springfield Animal Control said Ruddick was ticketed Monday. The incident report for the municipal violations said a woman reported last week that Ruddick was caring for her dog when he hit the animal three times and turned it loose. The report said the dog, an Australian shepherd, needed surgery for a broken jaw and at least six cracked teeth.
Ruddick's attorney released a statement Monday describing the quarterback as a "young man of the highest character" who has received death threats.
Ruddick was suspended Friday, and Missouri State fell the next day to Kansas State 35-0 in a game that was called at halftime because of lightning.
