Thousands of law enforcement agencies across the country use service dogs called K-9s to detain suspects, locate drugs and explosives, and search for missing persons. While these dogs don’t sign up voluntarily, they go out of their way to please their guides. K-9s deserve the same respect as any other officers who risk their lives to protect their communities, but some agencies and educational institutions still rely on violent, abusive and outdated training methods rather than humane strategies with proven effectiveness. … …
“It is my firm belief that dogs should be treated with respect, and this includes training them so that their welfare is greater than their performance.”
—Guy Williams, Police Dog Trainer and Trainer
PETA works with and supports police departments across the country, often collaborating to investigate, prosecute, and prosecute animal abusers. We’ve sent campaigns to agencies and organizations across the US to reduce tragic K-9 deaths in hot cars, and many officers have thanked us for caring for our canine partners. We know that many – if not most – handlers genuinely respect and value their K-9, whom they trust with their lives in dangerous situations. But some recently released cases show that some caregivers choose to use violence against their partners, which is why PETA is asking agencies across the country to ensure that their officers only use humane methods to train their K-9s.
Caught in the act: Officers on video
When a California man working outdoors heard a dog crying in distress, he looked around for a source and saw a Vacaville police officer saddle the dog, later identified as Gus, and punch the animal in the face, forcibly holding it on its back. … The witness filmed part of the incident, but was afraid to intervene. The recording went viral, sparking public outrage and protests. An investigation by the Anchor Therapy Clinic, a Sacramento psychiatric trauma clinic led by a psychotherapist, experienced military dog handler, trainer and kennel owner, found that Gus was frightened and avoided when he was cornered either on a leash or when the handler tried to touch him. He also did not understand or respond to basic commands or tasks and aggressively defended his food. The processor was removed from the K-9 unit, and the police department announced that it would make the improvements recommended by the investigators.
BUT @VacavillePolice This video shows an officer preparing to be K-9’s guide beating his dog. The person who filmed the video says the officer hit the dog 10 times before recording. Dept says the officer “corrected” the dog after it lunged and nearly bit him. 17:10, 6, 19:40 @KTVU pic.twitter.com/gVMoZAjOZK
– Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) December 29, 2020
In a similar case in Salisbury, North Carolina, footage leaked to the media of an officer picking up a K-9, later identified as Zuul, lifting off the ground on a leash, throwing the dog over his shoulder and dragging it a few feet like this, the body hitting him side of the police car, violently pushing him and then into the car and punching him with force. On the video, onlookers can be heard, who, apparently, were inside a nearby car with a camera that was filming the incident. One says: “We are all right – there are no witnesses,” then someone chuckles. Then one asks: “Is your camera turned on?” and the answer is: “No, my power is off.” Then someone says, “I think mine is on,” and then, “Can you go and turn off my cameras? Front camera only. ” The video quickly went viral, sparking local protests, national and international outrage and an external investigation. Following the investigation, the curator, Officer James Hampton, was recommended for dismissal, and he subsequently resigned. Although the district attorney declined to open a criminal case against him, the results of the investigation showed that Hampton’s associates believed he was “disciplining.” [Zuul] wrong ”, that“ discipline was excessive and unnecessary ”and that“ disciplinary efforts went too far ”. The president of the kennel center said he believed “the incident was an over-fix.”
JUSTICE FOR ZUUL!
Join PETA in calling for a criminal investigation and prosecution of this brutal dog handler from the Salisbury Police Department! Help Zuul and other K9 officers take action: https://t.co/KhCM5GgYhn pic.twitter.com/Ov2e3jkpEk
– MAP (@map) March 5, 2021
In Beattyville, Kentucky, a witness filmed a police officer and his K-9, Sarah (pictured below), stopping traffic. While Sarah was in a sitting position, the guide hit her in the back of the head with his knee (00: 12-13 on the video here). He ordered her to move to the “down” position and, as soon as she obeyed, dragged her along the sidewalk by the leash and collar around her neck. According to the witness, the guide pushed Sarah into the patrol car forcibly, hit her with his hand when she was inside, and then closed the door behind her. The witness stated that another police officer at the scene did not allow her to move and did not allow her to film how the guide treats Sarah after he dragged her along the ground.
Sarah K9 of the Beattyville Police Department will receive a body armor K9 Officer of the Beattyville Police Department …
Posted by Beattyville Police Department Saturday, Jan 4, 2020
In each case, PETA hastily sent a letter to the Chief of Police, condemning the officer’s brutality against their own K-9, and asking that the dog be removed from the care of the handler, the handler removed from the K-9 unit, and the incident must be investigated and thoroughly analyzed. K-9’s policies and procedures to prevent the recurrence of such abuses.
Old School Tactics: No Excuse for Modern Abuse
Techniques that have been considered standard for decades, such as throwing chains at the back of the dog, hitting with leather straps, submerging the head under water, and “helicopter” hanging from a leash and spinning in the air until they start to wobble and are not vomit – are now rightfully considered cruel and ineffective.
“Some dogs can withstand hanging by the neck longer than your hands can hold them there, and then what do you do? Some people walked up to the nearest fence, hung a leash from it and held the dog. It would captivate you, because now that you are not tired and a little annoyed, some people are tempted to keep the dog there longer. “
—Steve White, Student Learning Expert-9
According to one study, these harsh methods of handling a dog are more likely to produce negative results than improve the dog’s obedience. According to the International Symposium of Veterinary and Behavioral Experts, dogs learn and maintain desired behaviors most effectively when they are trained through a reward system – frightening or traumatic events and / or treatment often cause anxiety and even panic. Additional scientific studies of working dog training
m
ethods show that dogs whose handlers expose them to repulsive stimuli such as pulling on a leash, hanging the dog by the collar, swearing and hitting, performed less well and were weaker. unfocused.
According to veteran K-9 trainer Deborah Palman of the Maine Conservancy, the benefits of not using force include less stress and fewer injuries for both the dog and the handler, more interaction between the dog and the handler, less training time, fewer retraining for obedience, and decreased aggression. Seasoned Seattle trainer Steve White stresses that using positive reinforcement instead of strength means dogs learn to trust their handlers, developing stronger working relationships so that handlers – who are statistically involved in more shootouts than any other member of their department – can rely on their dogs to obey commands at critical moments.
People depend on local police to keep their communities safe and are well aware of cases of police overuse. Research has shown that those who are violent towards animals are also prone to violence towards other people.
How to report animal abuse