Her Assault Weapon Was a Dead Puppy
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ST. LOUIS — A woman accused of hitting a dog breeder over the head with a dead Chihuahua puppy was found guilty Wednesday of misdemeanor assault and trespassing.
Lisa Hopfer, 34, faces up to 18 months in jail and a $1,500 fine.
The trial featured X-rays and pictures of the dead dog, and testimony from Linda Hulsey, who said Hopfer hit her at least 30 times on June 7 with the corpse of the Chihuahua she sold to Hopfer.
Hopfer told police that after buying the puppy -- which she said Hulsey told her was 6 weeks old -- a veterinarian said it was 4 weeks old and needed to be returned to its mother. The dog died before Hopfer could return it.
Police said Hopfer pushed her way inside Hulsey’s home and confronted Hulsey, 33. Later, Hopfer took the dog out of a plastic bag and started hitting Hulsey over the head with it, police said.
Hopfer now has a new dog, she said, also a Chihuahua.
“She’s doing great,” she said.
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