An officer who grabbed a police dog named Zuul by the neck and slammed him against an SUV in Salisbury, N.C., has resigned from the police department after an investigation determined he had acted “in a manner entirely inconsistent with his K-9 training,” according to an official statement.
A city press release said that Officer James Hampton had violated department policy, with a recommendation to fire him pending a termination hearing. But before that could happen, Hampton voluntarily resigned.
“The Police Department followed its disciplinary process, which requires that an employee subject to termination be afforded a due process hearing,” the city statement said. “Following that hearing, and prior to the Police Department formalizing any disciplinary action, Officer Hampton tendered his resignation, effective immediately.”
Viral footage of the abusive act shows Hampton yanking Zuul off his feet, slamming him into a vehicle, and smacking the dog after telling him to “stay.” After the disturbing incident, someone in the background commented, “We’re good, no witnesses,” according to the video’s audio.
The Salisbury Police Department immediately removed Zuul from his handler’s custody amid widespread public outrage, but Hampton remained on duty while the third-party investigation, conducted by the US ISS Agency, continued into his conduct.
Meanwhile, Police Chief Jerry Stokes said during a press conference that the act may have been carried out as part of canine handling tactics. At the time, he declined to comment on whether Hampton’s behavior was appropriate, citing an ongoing investigation.
The Salisbury Police Department vowed to continue to review and make any necessary changes to its K-9 training operations, policies and procedures.
Lady Freethinker thanks the more than 35,800 activists who signed our petition urging the Salisbury Police Department to thoroughly investigate the appalling incident and revisit its training protocols to protect canines from future cruelty.
What’s New…
If this behavior is normal police training tactics then all dogs should be removed from the K-9 unit. Let the cops work on their own with no dogs helping them. Plus never mind the man in question resigned ,he should be prosecuted for animal cruelty just the same and fined accordingly. Throw the book at him !!!!!!
Good – bullies need to know that the world is watching.
Thst POS resigning should not release him from any charges for what he did to that dog…a police officer. Any one of us would be charged with assault to an officer at least and he is no different. Also, the worthless person heard saying there were no witnesses so all was good is kist as bad for not stepping up and stopping it.
Don’t think the ANIMAL ABUSER had any other choice.
Now all this monster has to do is find a corner of this Earth where he won’t be reviled for the crapweasel he is.
And never, ever let him near a dog, or cat, or any other animal again.
how can people who abuse helpless animals sleep at night!
I hope he doesn’t get a job that includes animals. All the other witnesses should also have had some sort of punishment. Working animals need protection from bullies like him.
That bastard should be imprisoned!
Thankful that Zuul will not be subject to Officer Hampton’s “discipline”(abuse) anymore. How many other K-9 officers are subjected to this “discipline” on this force? “We’re good, no witnesses” says quite a bit about how these “incidents” are handled and viewed by this police force. Federal animal abuse charges should be made against the now just Mr. Hampton and no animal EVER to be under his care/ownership.
Such cruel sub humans who have Violent temper should Never be allowed to wear the Police uniforms. How dare for any so called Police worker to abuse & torment an innocent animal who has given his life to Protect & save the other Police worker’s life. HE SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO OWN ANY ANIMAL EVER IN HIS LIFE TIME. These type of Police workers are a disgrace to other law abiding Police officers. This vile man forgot that the POOCH ALSO A POLICE K-9 OFFICER IN HIS TEAM. He abused his own team member.
He should be given the max time in jail for animal cruelty and never be allowed to own an animal!
It is about time the stupid ass cop resigned. If he would stayed that meant that u all approved that kind of behavior with animals. I would not have him around children.Hope he never gets another job dealing with animals.
GREAT NEWS OF THIS MORON’S RESIGNATION, HOPEFULLY ZUUL WILL GET A MORE LOVING & COMPASSIONATE TRAINER!!!!!!
Thank God Zuul was removed from his care and that he has voluntarily resigned.
I surely hope this guy doesn’t have any pets/animals at home. If he does, you know he isn’t very nice to them either.
Thank God DOG Zuul has been removed and is NO LONGER with abusive people — what we want is for Abusers to STOP abusing — FOREVER — we all need to earn a living — we all need to live — we NEED NOT abuse Animals — get on with your lives, continue with your daily routines — abusing Animals MUST NEVER be part of anyone’s day.
agree
Thank God this monster has resigned. Lets hope he is now banned for life for ever keeping an animal!
Good to hear this. They should not be allowed to operate alone without the knowledge they could be secretly filmed at any time.
There’s a good result.
OUR domestic and wild animals are never for evil entertainment They belong in their natural habitat End the abuse NOW
Thank god this guy resigned. This was heartbreaking to read…
And, what now is to stop/prevent this low life bottom feeder “Officer Hampton” who ‘retired’ from the Salisbury Police Department from abusing/harming even more innocent and defenseless animals??? I have completely and absolutely lost all respect for this pathetic little ‘country’ of the USA and for all of the spineless brain dead ‘ people ‘ who live there. So ironic for a ‘country’ who prides itself on being civilized and progressive. Too bad they can’t pull their heads out of their butts AND know what Mahatma Ghandi once said “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are .treated.”
Good that they’re rid of this bastard but now go after him! He needs to pay and SEVERELY for being such a bastard!
I HOPE JAMES HAMPTON NEVER GETS ANOTHER JOB WITH A POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I’m glad to hear he’s out of the force but he should have done jail time too!
Mahalo to you Lady Free Thinker from London, U.K.
This is stupid stop with the cruelty to animals.. people how hurts n kills animal to be prosecuted to the full degree..
I hope animal cruelty charges can be brought aginst him in some way. He’ll be sorry he got caught, not sorry he about what he did.
So glad he’s out but please make sure he doesn’t go elsewhere and get a job being around any dogs. He should also be prosecuted for animal cruelty. He knew what he did was wrong which makes the crime even worse.
Sorry, I can not do that. He needs to go to jail and rot in hell
James Hampton took the only course of action to avoid termination on his record. What about charges for animal cruelty as any other citizen would be subject to. Not so fast , more retribution must be paid before this dude walks.
James Hampton took the only course of action to avoid termination on his record. What about charges for animal cruelty as any other citizen would be subject to. Not so fast , more retribution must be paid before this dude walks.
The police chief said that it was part of the training???? So why the other piece of crap said “We’re good no witnesses”
Another dirty cop covering up for another dirty cop.
Not good enough but I hope this will be on his record and that his penance will not end with resigning. I though I had heard he was reassigned. I hope I am wrong.
This Officer is PURE EVIL!!! PUNISH HIM TO THE FULLEST AND HE SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED ANY ANIMAL !!!!!
Patricia Wicker…I so agree! He needs to be in jail and never be allowed to own another animal of any kind!