Jury Convicts Man For Punching K-9 Deputy
DELAWARE, Ohio—A man was found guilty of injuring a K-9 deputy by punching the dog several times in the face.
NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.
Jeffrey L. Metz, 45, was found guilty Wednesday in the Delaware County Common Pleas Court, according to Prosecutor David Yost.
Metz was driving more than 90 miles per hour on U.S. Route 42 northbound last January, according to Delaware County sheriff’s deputies.
When deputies attempted to pull over Metz, he continued to speed, and a high-speed pursuit ensued.
He spun out and stopped in a field.
Metz refused to listen to deputies’ orders to get out of his vehicle. After numerous commands, K-9 deputy Thor was sent in to remove Metz.
Metz punched Thor several times in the head and throat, breaking the dog’s tooth.
He was charged and convicted on one count failure to comply with order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony, and one count of assaulting a police dog, a fourth-degree felony.
Metz’ sentencing was scheduled for Monday, July 27, before Common Pleas Judge Everett H. Krueger.
He faces up to six-and-a-half years in prison.
It was the first felony conviction involving a K-9 assault in Delaware County’s criminal history.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
I hope the dogs tooth is lodged in his hand and stays lodged for the remainder of his life reminding him of the assinine choice he made.
Happy to hear the Judge Krueger got the case. He is usually not too forgiving of stupid criminals. If this guy does less than 2 years I will be very disappointed.
I have to wonder why no charges were brought against Metz as a result of the chase.
I hope his hand is ok.
This dog was doing what he was trained to do, poor thing. Im glad he wasn’t seriously injured. Was this idiot thinking that if he didn’t get out they’d go away???
Anyone who punches one of these police dogs should get the full punishment they would get if they punched a human officer. This dog is on the job and doing a duty to protect and uphold the law and puts his life on the line right beside his human counterpart. I hope the 4th degree felony is the same as hitting a human officer because they should be no different.
Advertisement