Sturgeon mayor resigns, mayor pro tem named

STURGEON, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Sturgeon's mayor resigned Saturday, according to a social media post from the city.

The city stated in the post that it received notice from Kevin Abrahamson that he has resigned his position as Mayor and resigned from the City Council, effective immediately. Aldermen Seth Truesdell will be taking over as Mayor Pro-Tem until the vacancy is filled, the post states.

The resignation comes after the city received backlash after a blind-and-deaf dog was shot and killed by a Sturgeon police officer last Sunday.  In a social media post, the city claimed the officer saw the dog “behaving strangely and displaying signs of possible injuries” that was “perceived to be rabid behavior.”

 In a separate post, the city said that “the city has reviewed the dispatch report and body camera footage regarding the recent dog at large incident," the post reads. "The City believes that the officer acted within his authority based on the information available to him at the time to protect against possible injury to citizens from what appeared to be an injured,  sick, and abandoned dog.”

Bodycam footage shows the interaction a Sturgeon police officer had with a 13-pound, blind-and-deaf Shih Tzu before he shot the dog to death. ABC 17 News spoke with the owner of the dog, Nicholas Hunter previously who said he plans to take legal action against the city.

Hunter spoke to ABC 17 News Saturday and he said that the mayor's resignation is a step in the right direction. "I think with that, this, insinuates fault and wrongdoings that were made," said Hunter. "I believe that, you know, this was a step in the right direction. However, it doesn't end there. I have to ensure that everybody involved understands the mistakes that were made."

In a statement sent to ABC 17 News via email, Truesdell stated he was informed Friday evening that Abrahamson resigned

Truesdell also state the board had not seen the body camera footage until after it went public. He also said the board does not agree with statements made by Abrahamson, or the actions of the officer involved.

"The actions of the officer involved are not the values and beliefs of the residents of Sturgeon or the board of Alderman,"the statement reads. "Currently, I have made calls to the Boone County Sheriff to meet and discuss an investigation. The officer involved was placed on leave and will remain on leave until further notice. The board of Alderman will be holding a future special meeting to discuss personnel, including Officer Woodson. I personally give my condolences to the owners of Teddy."

ABC 17 News reached out Abrahamson for comment.

Check back for updates to this developing story.