Judge Luebe rules in favor of Randolph’s pitbull ordinance

HARTINGTON — A Cedar County Court judge dismissed a lawsuit against the City of Randolph concerning its pitbull ordinance.

Kandice Cooke had filed the suit against the City of Randolph last month after a failed appeal to the city council to keep her dog, Rufus, a pitbull, in the city limits.

Cedar County Court Judge Douglas Luebe dismissed the case last week without prejudice, meaning Cooke is free to file the case again.

As part of her claim, Cooke submitted a document of her emotional support dog from the Assistance Dogs of America Registry listing her dog “Rufus” as a boxer mix.

However, the breed listed on Rufus’ vaccination records is listed as pitbull. The vaccination records were provided by Clarke and signed by a licensed veterinarian. Randolph city ordinance, in effect since March 2015, bans pitbulls within city limits as a specific breed of dangerous dog.

Cooke made her case before the Randolph City Council at its regular April meeting.

The council discussed the issue in executive session. After adjourning, the council voted to reject Cooke’s request and keep the ordinance in effect.

Cooke’s civil lawsuit, filed after the city council meeting, had sought $3,900 for emotional trauma, the right to keep her dog, receive a city dog license and permission to build a fence at her residence on Main Street.

In other court news, a Magnet man pleaded guilty to felony child abuse and misdemeanor thirddegree sexual assault.

Sage Stolpe, 21, entered his plea agreement in Adams County District Court last week and his sentencing was set for July 14.

According to court documents, Stolpe met a 15-year-old girl through social media and drove to Hastings to pick her up. A sexual encounter occurred in the vehicle while parked in a rural area of Adams County.

Stolpe allegedly told investigators that the girl told him she was 18 and it was only after the sexual encounter that he learned her real age.

The Cedar County Sheriff’s Of-