Local Man Has “Ruff” Day

(TERRYTOWN, Neb.) — A local man received a disorderly conduct charge when he was found barking at a dog.

On August 5, 2025, Sergeant Eckerberg with the Scottsbluff Police Department received a call about a man harassing dogs inside the fence of 126 Terry Blvd.

Based on prior calls that day, the description matched that of local man, Kurt Martinez, 46, who just hours before received a citation for trespass at the Carpenter Center.

When police arrived at the residence, Sergeant Eckerberg spoke with a female witness. She said she noticed a man wearing red pants and a gray sweatshirt running alongside the sidewalk when the dogs inside the fence started barking. That’s when the suspect stopped and got on his hands and knees and began to poke his hands though the fence, according to an affidavit filed with the Scotts Bluff County Courthouse. He also rattled the gate at the residence before he kept running Northeast.

Martinez was apprehended shortly after and cited for 1 count disorderly conduct and 2 counts criminal trespass. Although cited for that day’s event, he was ultimately arrested based on prior charges and has been in custody since.

During court on Monday, August 25, 2025, Kurt Martinez appeared in person where he pled guilty to criminal trespass resulting in a fine of $1,050.00, while the State dismissed the disorderly conduct. During a line of questioning, Mr. Martinez stated he didn’t know why he received a disorderly conduct charge. Judge Mickey asked him “Were you on all four barking?” Martinez replied, “Well yea, of course.”

Mr. Martinez explained that months prior, he was forced to euthanize his own dogs for constantly barking. He felt it was unfair that the fenced-in dog could partake in behavior he saw as similar to what his dogs were punished for.

Honorable Judge Mickey will be seeing Mr. Martinez again on September 8, 2025 for unrelated charges. Meanwhile, he will continue his stay at Scotts Bluff County Detention Center until further notice.