Virginia Officer May Be a Little too Fond of His Dog - Bonding Taken too Far

4 February, 2010

Five Virginia corrections officers in Powhatan County were charged with animal cruelty after evidence surfaced that they had been fondling a K-9 service dog in an inappropriate manner.

Officers are expected to bond with their dogs during training sessions. However; some K9 handlers may take that task a little too far. According to the case prosecutor, one of the officers in training was seen "touching the dog's [private area] with his hand."

As Virginia law requires that the state prove actual "cruelty" to the dog, and there was no definitive evidence that the dog protested to the attention in any way, the prosecutor concluded that his chances of winning the case seemed slim. Charges were dropped.

http://www.todayinvirginia.com/virginia-officer-may-be-a-little-too-fond-of-his-dog---bonding-taken-too-far.html
(Submitted by Dave McMann)