OBERLIN — City Council President David Sonner will pay $340 in fines and court costs and perform 40 hours of community service for firing a gun within city limits to kill a skunk that had been spraying his house.

Sonner, 72, was convicted of a misdemeanor charge of discharging of a weapon within the city limits.

He initially pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Oberlin Municipal Court. A short time later, he changed his plea to no contest and was sentenced.

Sonner

After court, he said he plans to bag food for the needy at Oberlin Community Services as his community service. He also will serve basic probation for a year, according to court records.

Police were called to Sonner’s Groveland Street neighborhood Nov. 7 after a neighbor heard shots.

While responding to the call, Capt. Clifton Barnes told Sonner that seeking help from an animal control officer would have been a better choice. The police report stated that Sonner used a .22-caliber handgun.

Barnes said the Oberlin Police Department keeps a list of wildlife experts who can trap and dispose of nuisance animals such as skunks.

Contact Cindy Leise at 329-7245 or cleise@chroniclet.com.

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