Officers Won’t Be Prosecuted For Fondling Dog
Published: November 19, 2009
RICHMOND, Va.—Five correctional officers charged in October with animal cruelty for fondling a K-9 dog and videotaping the incidents will not be prosecuted.
Powhatan County Commonwealth’s Attorney Robert B. Beasley Jr. decided last week not to follow through because he believed the cruelty charges would not stand up in court, he said Wednesday.
“I heard from a couple of veterinarians who told me that, in their opinion, it didn’t rise to the level of cruelty,“ he explained. “One of them told me that no harm can come to the animal through doing that.“
Beasley initially filed charges after consulting with the state veterinarian’s office.
“When your burden is proof beyond a reasonable doubt, I came to the conclusion that if you have reputable veterinarians in disagreement over the issue, you’re not going to be able to prove it in court.“
The officers—one of whom was accused of having sexual contact with the dog while the others watched and filmed—were training at the Academy for Staff Development in Goochland County to become K-9 handlers.
The incidents took place between June 16 and Aug. 1 across the James River at the Powhatan Correctional Center where the kennels are located, Beasley said.
Initially charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty were Kelvin Thompson, 25, of Chatham; Melvin Boone, 40, of Waverly; and Adam R. Webb, 27, Cheri Campbell, 35, and Anthony Eldridge, 33, all of Burkeville.
Eldridge and Boone no longer work for the Department of Corrections, though the department would not say whether they were dismissed or left voluntarily. Thompson, Webb and Campbell have been removed from the canine program but remain employed by the department.
Terry N. Grimes, a Roanoke attorney representing Thompson, who was accused of fondling the animal, said that the others put him up to it, claiming it would allow him greater control over the dog.
Bestiality in Virginia falls under crimes against nature, which is a felony charge but requires “carnal knowledge” of an animal, implying intercourse.
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Reader Reactions
Ya know, Patriot/Laura/Maumi…..it just dawned on me….What would have happened if it wasn’t a dog that police officer was masturbating on video, but rather another CONSENTING male human police officer - in their cruiser or wherever this occured? If the K-9 is considered an officer, isn’t this the same thing? Talk about your “double standards”!! This has GOT to be conduct unbecoming an officer to say the very least!!
If we are going to charge someone with Assualting and Officer when they kill a K-9 then human rules apply. The problem with the fondling thing is that it is not harassment if one cop desides to fondle another and the other cop gives his consent. SOOO, how can we determine that the dog did not consent to the fondling? Was it running away? Biting back? Crying in horror?
Keep in mind, we are talking about animals that hump human legs and other animals without seeking any consent.
My overall point is it is ridiculous to treat a dog like a person, or an officer. So where do you draw the line? At humanity.. (seems pretty obvious).
concernedlady:I agree! Where is PETA? I’ve always said that PETA could better set their sights on “realistic” achievements instaed of insisting that the world become vegetarians and being anti pet.
Did you know that PETA believes that it is cruel to an animals life to be kept as a pet-even the most pampered pets?
Once I took a look at what ALL PETA stood for,I had to step back and have a rational view.I decided to support organizations such as the ASPCA and Humane Societies.
Vegetarianism is great for those that are satisfied that all their nutritional needs are met that way.I myself look at the myriad of other mammals and see that many are omnivorous,leading me to question why every vegetarian I know is rather sickly and anemic looking.
Oh well,point being PETA should spend its time and effort on these unusual cases,cruelty issues like sexual abuse,decent farm conditions and killing for pleasure like dog fighting and ritualistic killing for religious purposes.
I don’t have much to say except for eww, and where is PETA when you need them?
MightyPorthos: Good point. It all comes down to convenience of what they want to pursue. I saw cops dispersing an uptown gathering in Athens several years ago - on horseback - and when a girl had her foot crushed by a horse, the guy with her punched the horse, trying to get it to move. He was promptly beaten and charged with assaulting an officer.
The animals get trained and upon entering service, they’re considered officers. Shoot a K9 and you’ve just killed a cop.
Cop has fun with K9, it’s simply goofing off with a silly, simple dog.
These so called men are a bunch of sick individuals. Why would you do that to an dog?
THESE IDIOTS AND THEIR ANTICS ARE DISGUSTING. NOW THAT POOR DOG IS PROLLY ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND CANNOT SUE ANYBODY WHO HAS DONE THIS TO HIM OR BLOCK PUBLICATION OF SAID VIDEO’S.
Unbelievable and how disturbing! What could people possibly come up with next to entertain themselves? I’m sure that the families and spouses of these individuals are quite proud! It would be a great way to end a relationship, stating irreconcilable differences (ex. being my spouse likes doggy porn) HAHA!!
But my astronomy blog still worked!
Good one! With your usual “slant” to the unusual!
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