Holmstrom, Bruce AlanBruce Alan Holmstrom reportedly crashed a red Oldsmobile Cutlass into a ditch off Otter Tail County Highway 140 and 555th Avenue south of Deer Creek around 6:15 p.m. Tuesday because of snowy conditions. Otter Tail County deputies located Holmstrom on the side of the road holding a shih tzu dog that appeared injured.
Holmstrom reportedly urged the deputies to have the dog looked at by a vet. Deputies told Holmstrom they would transport the dog.
However, Holmstrom reportedly became agitated as they questioned how he crashed the car and how the dog became injured. Holmstrom reportedly insisted that the deputies shoot the dog to stop its pain. When the deputies said that would not be necessary, Holmstrom allegedly started choking the dog’s neck with both hands.
Deputies moved the dog to a law enforcement vehicle to keep it warm and safe. The dog was later taken to Lakeland Vet Clinic in Perham for medical treatment. The dog lived through the alleged attack.
Holmstrom was tested for drunken driving on scene and reportedly blew a 0.28 blood-alcohol content. Open beer bottles and cans were allegedly seen throughout his car. Holmstrom was also found to have a license marked as revoked for being inimical to public safety.
Holmstrom was charged with felony-level animal cruelty, gross misdemeanor operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, gross misdemeanor operation of a motor vehicle within two hours of drawing a .08 or more alcohol concentration and gross misdemeanor driving after driver’s license cancellation.
(The Daily Journal - Jan 22, 2016)
