A disturbing video posted to YouTube shows a North Carolina police officer using some very questionable training methods.
In the video clip, the police dog, Zuul, exits the vehicle without permission during a training session. The unnamed Salisbury cop yells "stay" and the pooch immediately drops to the ground.
The officer puts the leash on the dog before lifting it up by the neck and slamming it into the side of the police SUV.
“We’re good, no witnesses,” an onlooker said as the officer forcefully placed the animal back into the vehicle.
Once again, the cop yells "stay" before allegedly hitting the dog. You can hear another person ask, "is your camera on?"
Salisbury Police Chief Jerry Stokes told reporters an investigation is now underway.
WARNING: Disturbing Video
“SPD’s review of and response to this matter is and will continue to be thorough and fair so as to provide due process to everyone involved,” Stokes said in a statement. “SPD can confirm that, as a matter of course, the officer has been administratively separated from the canine while SPD conducts its review. The canine was not harmed and is healthy and is well-cared-for.”
According to the chief, the officer's actions may have been part of the dog's training.
“When a canine is noncompliant with the handler’s commands, the handler is trained to correct the dog,” Stokes said. “Canine training tactics and corrective measures can sometimes be alarming out of context.”
Let's be honest though... In what world is picking up a dog by the neck and slamming it into the side of a vehicle appropriate? The video clearly shows the dog obeying the officer after the first command as it dropped to the ground. The officer's actions seem completely out of line and this behavior should never be tolerated.
Photo: Getty Images