In Friday Morning Interview With Salina311, Reynolds Describes Detailed 2½- to 3-Page Email and Possible Penalties in Animal Shelter Case
Charges Moving Forward in Puppy Euthanasia Case
Saline County Attorney John Reynolds told Salina311 on Friday that his office is moving forward with three animal cruelty charges against Andrea Murphy and three animal cruelty charges against Monique Hawley in connection with the reported euthanasia of three puppies with parvovirus at the Salina Animal Shelter.
Reynolds said his office was drafting notices requiring the defendants to appear in court, indicating the case is moving forward through formal court process rather than immediate arrest.
How the Investigation Reached the County Attorney’s Office
According to Reynolds, the case reached his office after a complaint was made to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. He said the matter was then referred to the Salina Police Department, which in turn sent it to the Saline County Attorney’s Office because police felt the sheriff’s office should handle the investigation.
“Sheriff lent me an investigator,” Reynolds said.
He said roughly a week was spent investigating the case. Reynolds also said investigators spoke with a former employee who had since left both the office and the state. According to Reynolds, that individual discussed issues involving the veterinarian and also referenced the email that has been at the center of the shelter records dispute.
Investigator Obtained Disputed Email From Veterinarian
Reynolds said investigators ultimately obtained the disputed email from the veterinarian.
According to Reynolds, City Attorney Patrick Hoffman indicated the city was not going to simply turn over the email and that it would have to be obtained through legal channels. Reynolds said the veterinarian then provided the emails.
Email Previously Denied Through Kansas Open Records Act Request
That email has been a point of public dispute for weeks.
Salina311 previously requested the email through the Kansas Open Records Act and was denied access. In the city’s written responses, Hoffman initially said the email was being withheld as a veterinary record. He later changed that position, writing, “Last Friday, March 20th, I indicated that one of the records you requested was not disclosed as a veterinary record. I have reviewed that record and no longer have that view.”
What the City Said About Withholding the Email
The city then said it was withholding the email under KORA exemptions related to “individually identifiable personnel information pertaining to employees” and “internal communications in which opinions are expressed and policies or actions are proposed.” The city also said the record could not be reasonably redacted for release.
“The City has also determined that the record cannot be reasonably segregated and redacted in a manner that would permit disclosure of non-exempt material without revealing protected information,” Hoffman wrote.
In a later response, Hoffman stated, “In this instance, the entirety of this email pertains to identifiable individual personnel.” He also wrote that “redaction is not feasible in a manner that would sufficiently de-identify the individuals involved.”
Reynolds Describes Email as “Detailed”
Reynolds described the email obtained during the investigation as “detailed” and said it was roughly two and a half to three pages long.
Why the Email Matters to the Broader Case
The email is significant because it appears to match the same document tied to the immediate aftermath of the Dec. 16, 2025 puppy incident. Contracting veterinarian Dr. Melissa Juby previously told Salina311 that after learning what had been reported to her about the euthanasia of the three puppies, she emailed Parks & Recreation Director Jeff Hammond, Operations Superintendent Andrea Murphy, and Animal Services Manager Monique Hawley within about one hour to express concern.
Possible Penalties if Convictions Are Secured
Reynolds also discussed the possible penalties if convictions are secured. He said a misdemeanor conviction could carry up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine. He said courts can impose jail time, probation, fines, or a combination of those penalties. Reynolds also said that if the offense were treated as a felony, it would be classified as a level 10 offense.
He further speculated that convictions in the case could effectively end the defendants’ future work in the animal care industry.
Case Moves From Public Controversy to Criminal Court
The charges mark the most significant legal development so far in a case that has drawn months of public scrutiny over euthanasia procedures, veterinary oversight, staff training, and the city’s refusal to release a contemporaneous email tied to the incident.