Man Sentenced In Killing Of Unified Police K-9 ‘Dingo’
Aug 26, 2019, 11:21 PM | Updated: Jan 4, 2023, 11:20 am
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A man who killed a Unified Police Department K-9 as officers were trying to apprehend him in 2017 was sentenced Monday to 11 years-to-life in prison.
Torey Chase Massey, 31, had been convicted of five crimes in April, including the killing of K-9 Dingo.
Inside a courtroom at Matheson Courthouse Monday afternoon, Dingo’s handler Chad Reyes, joined prosecutors in calling for serious prison time for the former fugitive.
“Torey Massey is a habitual, violent criminal who has shown no signs of remorse — even during his own trial,” Reyes read in a statement before the court.
Reyes paused and choked up multiple times as he explained to the judge how deeply he and his family were affected by the dog’s death.
“Nothing else remotely compares to the trauma inflicted upon me and my children by Torey Massey,” said the military vet and longtime officer, who is now the deputy chief at Herriman City Police Department.
MORE: Man Found Guilty Of Killing Unified Police K9 In 2017
Judge Paul B. Parker determined convictions for two first-degree felony counts of possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person and for a third-degree felony count of causing bodily injury or death to a police service animal should run consecutively, while two lesser charges could run concurrently.
The judge noted the matter of restitution would have to be settled during a hearing at a later date.
While Massey’s attorney did most of the talking during the hearing, Massey offered a brief apology to Reyes in his own words.
“I understand that I’ve got to pay for what I did,” Massey said. “I took his friend, his partner, you know. He won’t forgive me now, but I hope one day he does.”
After the sentencing, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill in a statement thanked his prosecutors and others for bringing the matter to justice.
“We offer continued condolences to Unified Police Department and Officer Reyes for the loss of their beloved colleague, Dingo,” Gill said in the statement.
Reyes said he was glad the judge decided to have the penalties for three of the counts run consecutively.
“I’m hoping to move forward and got on with my life now,” Reyes said.
