Judge says local suspect will stand trial for sodomy

Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran ruled Friday that
even though Michigan law does not explicitly define sex with
a dead dog as a crime, charges against a Saginaw man will
stand.

Sheeran set a trial date of May 8 for the trial, when
Ronald E. Kuch, 45, of Saginaw will face charges of sodomy,
indecent exposure and resisting and obstructing an Animal
Control officer. If convicted of either of the first two
charges, Kuch will then have a hearing on May 30, at which
Sheeran will determine whether Kuch is a
''sexually delinquent person.'' If so,
the judge could sentence Kuch to prison for any amount of
time, from one day to a year, on top of the sentence from
the initial charges, which carry up to 15 years in prison.

Kuch's defense attorney, Kathryn Fehrman, argued that
Michigan's statute on sodomy and bestiality is vague
and does not outlaw sex with a dead dog. Kuch is accused of
sexual contact with the carcass of his girlfriend's dog
on Oct. 20, about a week after the animal had been hit by a
car. The alleged crime occurred near the Forest Day Care
Center, 2169 W. Midland Road, on a school day. The teacher
was leading an Animal Control officer to the dead dog so he
could dispose of it when the pair discovered Kuch, who
allegedly scuffled with the officer before fleeing into the
woods.