Andrew P. Connors, Esq.

, Partner
Licensed in Virginia | andrew@connorsandbrenke.com
Phone (540) 553-8149 ext. 2 | Fax (540) 301-6460
Blacksburg, VA

PRESS RELEASE

May 10, 2018

I am writing on behalf of my clients, Rachel Brenke, Nathan Brenke, and their family,
concerning a well-publicized incident at their home on the evening of May 1, 2018 in which a
man stabbed to death the family’s beloved dog Archer. This press release was specifically
prompted by new allegations made by Commonwealth Attorney Eric Olsen in an unusual press
release he issued late in the evening of May 9, 2018. It also addresses concerns the family has
about the unusual conduct of his office in their investigation of this incident. My clients are left
with little recourse but to address these concerns in response to the false allegations in Mr.
Olsen’s press release.

The details of what happened that evening stand in stark contrast to the claims in Mr.
Olsen’s press release. Archer was in the family’s fenced-in backyard playing with four of the
family’s five children ages 3, 4, 5, and 8 years old. The fence included both a tall aluminum
fence as well as an invisible electric fence buried in the ground. The invisible fence was active
and Archer was wearing his shock collar, which was also functioning properly. A man we now
know to be Richard Rowe was walking a large dog (one larger than Archer) on an asphalt
walking path behind their home. There is no dispute that Archer jumped the fence, activating his
shock collar, and that seconds later Mr. Rowe was stabbing Archer with a four-inch knife. Mr.
Rowe’s dog did not bark during this incident, and neither he nor his dog had any injuries. Police
confirmed that Mr. Rowe was carrying two knives, one with a four-inch blade and the other with
a one-inch blade. After Mr. Rowe attacked Archer, Archer fled to the front of the house, where
he bled to death shortly thereafter. Several neighbors gathered to attempt to save Archer’s life.
By all accounts, Archer was beloved in the neighborhood and had no history of inappropriate
aggression, biting, or other violence. Had he shown any of these tendencies, Mr. and Mrs.
Brenke would have never allowed Archer to play unattended with their young children—one just
three years old.

Mr. Rowe remained at the scene, having made only the single statement to Rachel Brenke
that Archer “had jumped the fence, so I stabbed him.” He remained at the scene saying nothing,

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1901 S. Main St., Suite 4C, Blacksburg, VA 24060
1127 International Pkwy., Suite 229, Fredericksburg, VA 22406
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acting oddly, and getting uncomfortably close to the Brenkes and their neighbors as they
attempted in vain to save Archer’s life. Neither the Brenke family nor any of their neighbors
present knew Mr. Rowe, recognized him as from the area, or otherwise understood him to have
any past experience with Archer. This is in contrast to the apparent implication from the
Commonwealth Attorney’s press release that Mr. Rowe had a history with the Brenke family,
Archer, and the neighborhood. This could not be further from the truth; up until that evening, the
Brenkes had not interacted with Mr. Rowe at all. They do not know him, they have never talked
to him, and they are certainly not aware of any past interaction between him and Archer. Any
claims to the contrary by Mr. Rowe and the Commonwealth’s Attorney are false.

The Brenkes strongly question the thoroughness of the investigation conducted by law
enforcement, especially in light of the false and misleading statements contained in the
Commonwealth Attorney’s press release. The press release incorrectly states that Mr. Rowe was
walking on the sidewalk in front of the Brenke family’s home when the incident began. The
press release also wrongfully claims, without any sourcing, that Archer had demonstrated
previous “aggression” and that Mr. and Mrs. Brenke were aware of this fact. This is certainly not
a sentiment shared by their neighbors. The Brenkes’ neighbors have expressed overwhelming
sympathy not just for the loss of their beloved pet, but the brutal way they lost him. Without any
further context from the Commonwealth Attorney’s office, the Brenke family must wonder
whether these allegations are simply the self-serving statements of a man that knew he would
likely face criminal charges for maliciously stabbing their dog to death. They must also wonder
about the seriousness of an investigation that cannot get the simple fact correct that this incident
occurred in the back of the family’s home with small children at play, not in front of their home
on a sidewalk.

The family is heartbroken over their loss, but perhaps even more heartbroken by the
treatment they have received from law enforcement. The sheriff’s deputies and animal control
officer that arrived at the scene barely interviewed the Brenke family on what had happened. The
deputies refused to provide any explanation of Mr. Rowe’s side of the story. While the family
has acted under the assumption that Mr. Rowe was claiming self-defense, no one ever actually
told the Brenke family that he was making that claim or the factual basis for the claim. Upon
repeated requests, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office even refused to provide Mr. Rowe’s
name, either to Rachel Brenke or her legal counsel. We have only now learned his identity from
the Commonwealth Attorney’s press release. Had law enforcement simply asked the Brenkes
whether they or Archer had ever had any prior interaction with Mr. Rowe, they could have
confirmed such allegations were false.

We now know that the Commonwealth’s Attorney has brought criminal charges against
Mr. Rowe, but my clients rightfully question his commitment to prosecuting the case. The
Commonwealth Attorney’s own press release exclusively recites misstatements of fact that, if

Connors and Brenke PLLC | connorsandbrenke.com

1901 S. Main St., Suite 4C, Blacksburg, VA 24060
1127 International Pkwy., Suite 229, Fredericksburg, VA 22406
Connors and Brenke PLLC
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they were true, might support a claim of self-defense. The press release is devoid of any
allegations to support the crux of the criminal offense of animal cruelty—the malicious killing of
Archer at the hands of the defendant, Richard Rowe. The Brenkes do not see how the
Commonwealth’s Attorney can fairly and impartially prosecute the case against Mr. Rowe under
these circumstances. This suspicion is only reinforced by the fact that the Commonwealth’s
Attorney is now seeking criminal fines against Rachel and Nathan Brenke on the specious claim
that they “permitted” Archer to “run at large” when he jumped both a physical and invisible
fence and was stabbed to death by Mr. Rowe moments later.

Despite these issues, the family knows that there will be justice for Archer. A civil suit is
one option the family has to make Mr. Rowe understand the terrible consequences of his actions.
The Brenkes are also examining ways that Archer’s terrible killing might spur improvements in
the law applicable when dogs are maliciously killed. Above all else the family places their faith
in God to show them how they might bring good to the world through this tragedy.

For any further press inquiries, please call my direct line at 540-553-8149 ext. 2 or email
me directly at andrew@connorsandbrenke.com. The family is hopeful that any members of the
press that have reported the unsourced claims in Mr. Olsen’s press release consider and report
the vehement denial of the Brenkes as detailed in this press release.

Sincerely,

Andrew P. Connors, Esq.

Connors and Brenke PLLC

Connors and Brenke PLLC | connorsandbrenke.com

1901 S. Main St., Suite 4C, Blacksburg, VA 24060
1127 International Pkwy., Suite 229, Fredericksburg, VA 22406