A brave Vacaville man who recorded and released video of a police officer punching his service K9 in the face caught the attention of a generous Lady Freethinker donor, who awarded him with $1,000 for his courage.
Roberto Palomino’s video, shared through a petition published on Lady Freethinker (LFT), sparked action from LFT Reader Mark Matyazic, who reached out and said he wanted to grant Palomino a reward.
Palomino told Lady Freethinker he was passing by the area when he heard a dog crying in pain and then spotted the officer hitting his K9 partner.
“It was very clear that this was not training. I couldn’t believe my eyes,” he said. “The only thing I could think to do was to start recording.”
Before Palomino released the video, he consulted with his wife. He was worried that the video might bring unwanted attention to his family.
“After she watched it, she said, ‘You have to do something,’’” he said. “It took a lot of courage for me to post the video, but it was the right thing to do.”
A very surprised Palomino told Lady Freethinker that money will go a long way toward helping his family, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking financial havoc on so many.
“I really appreciate it,” he said. “It will really help me a lot, more than he thinks. I want to thank him, and I also want to thank everyone who is concerned about the dog and to this amazing organization (LFT) for making this all happen.”
Matyazic told Lady Freethinker he felt compelled to recognize Palomino’s actions after he learned of the incident.
“Most people wouldn’t take the time to stop, not to mention shoot video of such barbaric activity,” Matyazic said. “The financial token of appreciation also serves to perhaps give others pause, and to not think twice in reporting such sickening behavior to an organization like Lady Freethinker or similar.”
The video, which went viral, also has inspired others to act — prompting protestors to gather outside of the Vacaville Police Department and demand the officer’s termination and outraged viewers to send hundreds of emails to the city of Vacaville, calling for policy change and accountability.
After the release of the footage, the Vacaville Police Department Tweeted that the officer had punched the dog after the dog refused to give back a toy he had received as a reward for completing a routine training exercise. The dog has since been removed from his handler’s care, but the officer is still on duty.
Kris Concepcion, the city’s fire chief and temporary spokesperson, told Lady Freethinker that the city is not releasing the officer’s name out of fear for his safety.
“We have received hundreds, if not thousands of emails about this incident, some of which contain content that could be considered threats,” he said. “But we know that the eyes of the world are on this situation, and we are monitoring it closely.”
The city of Vacaville is conducting an investigation into the incident, Concepcion said. The city also is looking to hire two independent third parties to review the city’s findings: one with extensive canine training and one with experience evaluating police officer actions, he said.
Concepcion said the city has no defined end-date for the investigation but added the city will be posting updates about the incident on social media and through press releases.
“We want to complete the investigation as expeditiously as possible, but we also want to make sure it is thorough and comprehensive,” he said. “We want to make sure the investigation is done right.”
There were no updates on the investigation as of mid-January, with department leaders asking the public to be patient so that they could do a thorough job.
Lady Freethinker applauds Palomino and Matyazic for their compassionate actions to help end animal abuse and be a voice for those who would otherwise suffer in silence. Lady Freethinker also commends Palomino’s refusal to stay silent in the face of animal abuse.
“With that act, he saved the dog from future abuse, and will likely change the department’s training policies for the long haul,” said LFT Founder Nina Jackel.
If you haven’t already, please sign the petition urging the Vacaville Police Department to thoroughly and expeditiously investigate this disturbing incident and revisit their department-wide training protocols to protect K9s from abuse.
He doesn’t serve his job. A k9 is as important as human officer. He should be prosecuted as a human would be to assault an officer. He should lose his job. He was caught on camera, no excuses do your job prosecute him.
He doesn’t serve his job. A k9 is as important as human officer. He should be prosecuted as a human would be to assault an officer. He should lose his job. He was caught on camera, no excuses do your job prosecute him.
How is it possible that the explanation they offered about the toy would seem like a valid response. How does that make it any less horrendous???
Please make this abuse and murder stop!
This, repulsive ,ugly mentally deranged, filth bag severe dog abusing cop must immediately have his employment terminated. I advocate that this evil cretin then have the death penalty performed enabling a slow and agonising death!!!!
Big thanks to Matyazik and Palomino for bringing this to light, and thanks to all the people and the Vacaville Police Dept who are doing something about it.VIV
Fire the bum after punching him in the face
Scum. Strip him of his badge too.
This officer should NOT be allowed to serve the community with a temper like that. He is a loose cannon with a very short fuse and needs to be removed from public service.
This officer needs to be a use by other officers before the officer loses his band the. Tight to bare arms and is not allowed to have a pet. Vacaville thud I this is disgusting that someone who is to protect and serve can do this all officers must submit to some mental health check up before they are allowed to work with a k9 officer
Hope this idiot rots in hell for what he did.
Please keep helping animals as they can’t help themselves.
Isn’t that considered assault of an officer?
This needs to be stop !!
these punk cops need to be fired from the force. i’ve seen many videos of cops shooting peoples’ dogs whether they’re threatening or not. they also should be charged with animal cruelty. there’s good cops and there’s punks. people are going to get fed up one day…
This officer which I am hesitant to call an officer is a bully and a disgrace and should be fired and never allowed to be around or own an animal again. Our society should be appalled at such behavior by a so called officer of the law!!!
My cousin trains Shepard’s and he sent the department an email that this behaviour is not justifiable nor acceptable, no matter what. While the training for these dogs might not appeal to some, as the dogs are trained to follow commands so you need to be tough, but he said we do not punch dogs, and when they had a person in their group boast that he punched his dog as part of training, they dismissed him from the group and barred him. I am glad they are contracting outsiders to review the recommendations and findings. I too hope there is an overhaul on how they train the dog trainers. This is beyond sad and sickening.
The dog victim is not properly trained, is ruined now for police work, and must be retired to a humane home. The policeman is also not properly trained and must be permanently removed from the canine branch, retrained, reassigned, and constantly observed for other future infractions. If he ever exhibits any form of cruelty and/or excess machismo, he must be fired.
So this vial @hole gives the dog a “reward” for an action the dog completed but then wanted to take it back?! I don’t blame the dog for refusing! I would have refused to! This is NOT an excuse for what this vial piece of crap did punching the dog period! This guy is obviously despicably deranged! It is entirely unbecoming of an officer of the law and as such he should be terminated from his job no excuses!
This is obviously being swept under the rug by the PD! How long does this “investigation” as they call it need to take?! This wack job was filmed on camera beating his defenseless dog while the idiot was sitting ON the dog while it cried out in agony! How much “investigation” does that require?! Its blatant abuse caught on video! Period! end of discussion/investigation! This guy should be in jail on felony animal abuse! Anyone else caught doing this would be behind bars already! NO hiding behind a badge! He should be banned from ever having or being with another animal ever again! Never be a cop again!! HE and this PD need to be held accountable! PERIOD!! Stop making excuses!!
Thank you Roberto for your courage and your quick action. Because of you, the poor dog is now in compassionate hands. As for the cop, its an old story, a dirty cop helping a dirty cop.
What evidence do we have that the dog is in compassionate hands? If it’s still with the department, it is not in compassionate hands. I worked in law enforcement, K9 units need to be exposed. So far, it’s nothing but cruelty and cover ups.
This Police man should NEVER BE ALLOWED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC INTERESTS AS A POLICE MAN. HE “CANNOT” BE A POLICE MAN IF HIS BEHAVIOR IS SUCH VIOLENT & CRUEL.
Yes the person who recorded this brutal attack on the poor service dog, is sure glad to hear that he was rewarded. This is an example to every one of us, in case you witness any brutality done on any defenseless Animal please record & at times you can stay anonymous as well. (If you really do not want to be known) Please don’t allow the Violent people to get away with their heinous crimes done against the animals.
Thank you for acknowledging this brave person. What is really needed is recognition that it isn’t just one “bad apple” here and there. This is the standard for treatment of K9’s, and K9 units will have to be shut down in order to cure it. It’s more like a dog torture club, and they have a secret oath to lie to the public about what they do, and pretend to care so much about their four legged “partners.”
In reality, far more of these dogs are killed by their handlers than by any suspects, and the media helps them cover it up by 1) ignoring it, OR 2) putting forth the “one bad apple” theory, usually after a video makes the rounds, and it can’t be covered up.
This officer should ve prosecuted and sacked. He is not fit to wear the badge.Dogs don’t learn by being beaten.
This officer should be prosecuted and sacked. He is not fit to wear the badge.
Why would humans treat their dogs like this. This man should never be able to own or take care of a dog ever again.
HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE
HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE