SDSU’s Chief of University Police — is facing five charges of Cruelty to Animals.
In a Dec. 5, 2025, news release, Brookings County State’s Attorney Dan Nelson said Brookings Police received complaints about unseen barking dogs and a strong fecal odor at a home owned by Heaton at 1008 3rd Street.
Nelson said officers investigated multiple times and found abandoned vehicles and a hole in the roof. He said on Nov. 23, a community service officer observed several German Shepherds with fecal matter on their paws and then spoke with Heaton’s son Kyer. Police said Kyer told them the house had no heat source, the dogs urinated and defecated indoors, and that Kyer’s father did not want law enforcement entering the residence.
Based on this encounter, Brookings Police obtained and executed a search warrant on Dec. 3. The State’s Attorney said police found the home in an unsanitary condition with up to a foot of feces in some areas. Police reported thick cobwebs, heavy dust, and urine and feces covering the floor. Law enforcement said they found the residence had no heat, an unusable kitchen and bathroom, and structural damage from a prior fire.
Police said they removed five German Shepherds for a veterinary evaluation that found multiple signs of neglect and abuse, including gingivitis, broken teeth, malnourishment, sores and an ear abscess.
The State’s Attorney reports that Timothy Heaton said the animals were intermittently fed by his son but that Timothy himself acknowledged ownership of the residence and responsibility for the dogs.
On Dec. 5, Heaton appeared before Magistrate Judge Bob Pesall who released Heaton on a personal recognizance bond under the conditions that he remain law abiding, make all court appearances, waive extradition and keep no animals in his possession.
A Dec. 5 news release from SDSU Marketing and Communications said the university is cooperating with the investigation and will be naming an interim University Police Department Chief. The statement also said that, given this is both an active legal and a personnel matter, the university will not be commenting further at this time.
The State’s Attorney’s office said Heaton was arrested on five counts of Cruelty to Animals — a Class 6 felony, punishable by up to two years imprisonment and/or a four thousand dollar fine.
Story courtesy of news partner Brookings Radio.
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