Dog killed by Cop in Self defense in Los Angeles

I usually don't post stories regarding the criminal defense theme but this one caught my eye. According to reports the Los Angeles County assistant fire chief has been accused of fatally injuring a neighbors six month old Shepard mixed dog by beating it in his Riverside neighborhood. It was reported that a teenager who ran out to do some errands owned the dog and while he was gone the six month old dog wandered into a neighbors yard according to neighbor Travis Staggs.

Staggs began to walk the dog back to its home when Assistant Fire Chief Glynn Johnson said he would take the dog named Karley home. Staggs says that Johnson started beating the dog and he tried to stop him and was pushed away by Johnson.

Staggs stated Johnson punched Karley, with a closed fist approximately twelve times; he then beat her with a rock that measured about 11 inches and then broke her jaw. If you are a dog lover there is no defense for this, whether it is technically a criminal act or not.

Riverside County Sheriff’s Sgt. David Barton stated that police received two telephone calls from the 17000 block of Armintrout Drive, one was from a woman who stated her husband was attacked by a dog and one from a man. Is this criminal behavior or not? I do not know.

Johnson was transported to the hospital for wrist and thumb injuries, it was stated by Jeff O’Toole father of the teenage owner of Karley these injuries occurred when Johnson broke Karleys jaw. Could he need a criminal defense attorney?

All in all, her teenage owner found Karley 20 minutes after the beating under a bush injured and bleeding. Karley was taken to the Vet and then to an emergency animal hospital where she had to be euthanized due to severe wounds.. By the way if you happen to hang your hat in Los Angeles or the greater LA region and require a leading Los Angeles criminal defense attorney then I would recommend you give a call to the Law Offices of Ramiro Luis. He is certainly a top flank Los Angeles criminal defense attorney currently working in this area. In addition to Los Angeles, he can also be of help Anaheim, Santa Monica, Manhatten Beach or Torrance, to name just several.

According to Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief P. Michael Freeman Johnson told him that he beat the dog in self defense. Freeman also stated that they are deeply concerned about the allegations against Johnson. Johnson has been placed on administrative leave from the Los Angeles Fire Department. I assume he has already retained himself a criminal defense lawyer but that is not confirmed.
The malicious and intentional injury of an animal is a felony and the Riverside County Sheriffs Department is investigating the incident. The O’Toole family who stated Karley was a well behaved dog and they will have to find another place to live.