Police Dog Kicked to Death

[VoodooJoint]

Please act upon this! Police dogs are true heroes. They bravely run into situations that most humans never would. They save lives daily both by defending and protecting the innocent and as a non-lethal form of force to stop suspects. They should be treated as heroes and not cruelly abused by their partners.

Police Officer Accused of Killing K-9 Partner

"Take Action" to ask State Attorney to seek maximum sentence

Sergeant Allen Cockfield of the Miami-Dade Police Department was recently charged with felony animal cruelty charges for allegedly kicking his K-9 partner Duke to death during an obedience training exercise with more than a dozen other police dogs and trainers present. The reason, according to an anonymous witness: Duke barked when he wasn't supposed to, so Cockfield hoisted the four-year-old German shepherd by the leash around his neck and repeatedly kicked him in a fit of rage until he lost consciousness. Duke reportedly died later at a veterinary clinic from injuries sustained during the attack.

Following the incident, the Miami-Dade Police Department suspended Cockfield from duty without pay, and opened an internal affairs investigation of his violent actions. After his arrest, Cockfield was released on bail. Miami-Dade police told reporters that Cockfield, a veteran of the force with 27 years experience, is a model officer with a file full of commendations and no history of disciplinary problems. However, with more than two decades of K-9 training under his belt, it is possible that this is just the first time this loose cannon got caught or reported for abusing an animal.

All too often, police officers get away with breaking the law simply because they are police officers. That is why it is especially important that Cockfield be held accountable for his actions -- just like any citizen who commits murder should be. Sentencing guidelines for third degree felony animal cruelty charges call for a maximum of five years in prison, which is actually a small price to pay considering that Cockfield brutally took the life of his young canine companion and partner for something as innocent as an ill-timed bark.

Sergeant Allen Cockfield's trial is scheduled to begin on September 24th. Please write or call prosecuting attorney Isis Perez before then and politely ask that she seek the maximum penalty in the case against Cockfield.

Isis Perez
Public Corruption Unit
1350 N.W. 12th Avenue
Miami, FL 33136-2111
Tel: (305) 547-0664

[KazzysCavies]

Oh this is totally appalling, I cannot quite comprehend what I have just read, I despair, I truly do, and a man in such an influential position too, what a disgrace, poor Duke, rest in peace fella.

Whilst based in the UK I promise I will make an effort and get a letter off as suggested tomorrow, but I am sure it will not arrive until after the trial date.

Absolutely heartbreaking.

Kazzys-Cavies.

[crazywiggy]

I am appaled (although sadly not surprised) that this is still happening. We had a similar incident ni the UK some years back - Apolice dog named Acer was "hung" and kciked durin training and died from internal injuries. As a result, a lot of changes have been made to police dog training. RIP Duke. Fingers crossed the culprit is properly punished.

[suzilovespiggie]

What is with thes men and their anger? This man should be sent to prison for five years! I am calling this A.m. when I get off work. In a town a couple of hours from here another policeman left his canine partner in a locked car with no windows down for 12 hours. Our temps in AZ were still running in the 100 degrees. This beautiful trained dog died. The policeman's excuse : " I forgot he was in there". Az has a law against leaving children and animals in the car when the temps are so high. This policeman is being prosocuted for this crime. this policeman in Flordia needs the maxium charge. There is absolutely no excue for what he did. NONE! These men make me sick! I do hope that there is such a pouring out of rage over this abuse, It changes something for the better treatment of these beautiful dogs.

[John4216]

No one has mentioned it yet though I am sure everyone is thinking it. Beyond just the guy who did it, I want to see something done about everyone who was present and watched this moron do it. Unless they actively took action to make the guy stop then they are just as guilty as he is. These dogs are heroes and many K-9 officers see there dog not as a dog but as a true partner and develop a lifelong bond with them.

If the others present did nothing to stop it then it speaks of a problem in the whole department and needs to be addressed or this kind of thing will just keep happening.

[Piggersrule]

I can't believe what I just read, just sickening. He needs to be delt with to the fullest extent of the law. He should not be allowed to get away with this.

[CRAZY4guineapig]

Oh that story makes me so MAD!!!!!!!!! How dare that police officer kill his dog by kicking him to death!!!! How would HE feel if someone kicked HIM to death?!?! Oh, that police officer should be fired. OOOOOh the poor dog, can you IMAGINE the pain he must have gone through, being kicked to death..