Man on trial for drugging show dog

WHEATON, Ill., Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Prosecutors in suburban Chicago said a man attempted to affect the outcome of a dog show by feeding drugs to a prize-winning Siberian husky.

Ralph Ullum, 68, is accused of slipping human drugs to a competitor named Pixie so his girlfriend's husky would have a better chance of winning the American Kennel Club-sanctioned show, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Tuesday.

Jessica Plourde, Pixie's owner, said she found pill fragments in and around Pixie's cage during a dog show in suburban Wheaton last year.

Plourde said a veterinarian induced Pixie to vomit and an undigested pill came out.

Ullum is on trial in DuPage County, Ill., on misdemeanor charges that include animal cruelty and attempted criminal damage to property for allegedly giving Pixie human drugs.

Defense attorney Ed Maloney said the allegations against his client are unfounded.

"I think when all the evidence is in, the judge will determine the state's case doesn't have four legs to stand on," he said.