Death Threat Over Dog Killing..to the Wrong Person

After word got out that Christopher Michael Richards of Lolo had allegedly beaten and then killed a dog, the phone calls started to the Richards residence in Lolo…the wrong Richards, and in one case there was a death threat. I spoke with Dennis Richards, who incidentally has a son named Christopher living in Bozeman and he related the strange phone call he received on Saturday.

Richard’s story brings to mind the tragedy in February of 2010 of a man who committed suicide after receiving angry phone calls and threats after allegedly trying to flush a kitten down the toilet. The kitten, nicknamed ‘Mercy’ by veterinary officials, had to be euthanized. Those who are upset enough to make angry phone calls need to know that making a death threat over the phone can be charged with intimidation, a felony, according to Missoula Sheriff’s Detective Rich Maricelli. Christopher Michael Richards will appear in court this Thursday to face charges of animal cruelty.