Settlement reached in show dog neutering dispute

ST. PAUL, MN (KTRK) -- A Minnesota dog owner has reached a legal settlement with a breeder he claimed vengefully neutered his champion bichon frise without his knowledge.

John Wangsness claimed breeder Vickie Halstead owed him more than $50,000 in damages and about eight vials of frozen semen taken from the dog, Beau Lemon, who was the second best of his breed in the nation before his retirement in 2012. Wangsness alleged Halstead was angry because the dog was taken to another breeder.

Wangsness' attorney, Larry Leventhal, says terms of the settlement reached late Tuesday are confidential.

Halstead said Wednesday she is also bound by the confidential agreement, but expressed relief that the settlement has been reached. Halstead says she didn't act out of vengeance and that the dog's health was always her priority.