External investigations are underway in a case where a police officer allegedly abused his K9 in Vacaville, Calif. late last year, according to local officials.
“We want to remind the public that there are three outside investigations,” said city fire chief and interim city spokesman Kris Concepcion.
The probes focus on the mental and physical impacts on the dog — who was a police K9 in training when the horrifying incident occurred late last year — as well as the officer’s actions and the K9 program’s training policies and protocols.
“We’re on it. We’re staying on it,” Concepcion reassured. “As soon as we can legally let the public know the details, we will, whatever we can legally release. We want to have as transparent a release as possible.”
Footage captured on camera by a passerby of the abuse went viral in December, prompting widespread demands for justice. In the video, the dog yelps out in pain as the officer punches him in the face.
“It was very clear that this was not training. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The only thing I could think to do was start recording,” disturbed onlooker Robert Palomino, who recorded and released the appalling clip, told Lady Freethinker.
The officer reportedly struck the dog after the K9 refused to return a toy he had received as a reward for completing a training exercise. A veterinarian gave the dog a clean bill of health, and he remains in a professional handler’s care.
The investigations could result in discipline, additional training, policy and procedural changes. But for now, the fight for justice for this innocent dog continues.
If you haven’t yet, sign Lady Freethinker’s petition urging the Vacaville Police Department to revisit its K9 program’s protocols, showing that animal abuse is always unacceptable.
