Woodstock dog killer gets two months in jail

A Woodstock man found guilty of aggravated cruelty to an animal in June for shooting his Labrador retriever in the head while sitting at the kitchen table has been sentenced to two months in jail and 18 months probation, according to a news release from the McHenry County State's Attorney's office.

Kirk M. Locher, 57, will have to undergo a psychiatric evaluation and abide by any recommendations that come from it. He also will lose his right to own a gun or a pet while on probation.

He had faced a maximum sentence of three years in prison.

As a result of his felony conviction, his Firearm Owner's Identification card will be revoked.

On June 30, jurors deliberated for almost three hours before convicting Locher. He was accused of killing the 3-year-old dog, Breeze, as it lay just a few feet away from his wife in May 2008.

Locher did not testify in his defense during his trial, but told police he killed Breeze after it bit him for the second time in less than a month.

His wife, Donna Locher, testified during trial that she was sleeping about midnight early that morning when her husband came into their bedroom, grabbed his pistol and told her he planned to shoot the dog. She said she followed him to the kitchen and, after she sat down at the table near Breeze, watched as her husband aimed his gun across the table and fired one shot into the dog's head.

Police later found Breeze in a garbage can.