Miami-Dade Police Officer on Trial for Killing a Belgian Malinois

more images

MIAMI, FLORIDA (GaeaTimes.com) — Sgt. Allen Cockfield, a former Miami-Dade police officer is under trial for allegedly killing a police dog. The dog named Duke was of Belgian Malinois breed. Cockfield has been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty and a felony count of killing a police dog. He could be imprisoned if the allegations are proved and his police license might also be revoked.

Reportedly in a routine training exercise Cockfield was seen kicking the dog for a number of times. Duke reportedly collapsed on the spot. Cockfield was finally arrested in 2007 following a one year investigation.

Cockfield in his defense said that he was merely protecting himself. But the lawyer on behalf of the Miami-Dade said that the dog was disobeying commands. Allegedly Cockfield lifted the dog up by its leash and kicked it three or more times.

A police officer who was also a witness to the event said

He stiffened his hind legs, shaking as he was going into some sort of seizure, and a few seconds later he became numb, and that was it,

Cockfield’s lawyer said that the Belgian Malinois was behaving aggressively prompting Cockfield to take action. Cockfiel’s case is still under trial.