Minn. deputy pleads guilty to drunkenly beating K-9 partner

Certain psychopathologies include cruelty to and/or the harming of animals as a diagnostic component. Should this deputy continue employment in the public trust?

REPORT: "He has already received an extreme consequence. His dog was removed from him the minute this came to light. That’s an extreme emotional consequence. It’s also a significant financial consequence for a person who is a K9 officer," Short said. A half-dozen animal activists attended the hearing and say they are more satisfied than they've been in other animal abuse cases.
"We got a little more justice in this one, it seems," said Jan Stern of Duluth. "I understand that he knows that he did wrong. And if he was that intoxicated, maybe it’s time he receive treatment."

"He's being held somewhat accountable," said Diane Parkhurst of Cloquet.

With his guilty plea, the assault charge will be dropped. He will continue to work as a deputy with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office but will be reassigned. His new role did include a pay cut.