Virginia correctional officers accused of dog fondling won’t be prosecuted
Published: November 19, 2009
RICHMOND, Va.—The five correctional officers charged in October with animal cruelty for fondling a K-9 dog and videotaping the incidents will not be prosecuted.
Powhatan County Commonwealth’s Attorney Robert B. Beasley Jr. decided last week not to follow through because he believed the cruelty charges would not stand up in court, he said yesterday.
“I heard from a couple of veterinarians who told me that, in their opinion, it didn’t rise to the level of cruelty,“ he explained. “One of them told me that no harm can come to the animal through doing that.“
Beasley initially filed charges after consulting with the state veterinarian’s office.
“When your burden is proof beyond a reasonable doubt, I came to the conclusion that if you have reputable veterinarians in disagreement over the issue, you’re not going to be able to prove it in court.“
The officers—one of whom was accused of having sexual contact with the dog while the others watched and filmed—were training at the Academy for Staff Development in Goochland County to become K-9 handlers.
The incidents took place between June 16 and Aug. 1 across the James River at the Powhatan Correctional Center where the kennels are located, Beasley said.
Initially charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty were Kelvin Thompson, 25, of Chatham; Melvin Boone, 40, of Waverly; and Adam R. Webb, 27, Cheri Campbell, 35, and Anthony Eldridge, 33, all of Burkeville.
Eldridge and Boone no longer work for the Department of Corrections, though the department would not say whether they were dismissed or left voluntarily. Thompson, Webb and Campbell have been removed from the canine program but remain employed by the department.
Terry N. Grimes, a Roanoke attorney representing Thompson, who was accused of fondling the animal, said that the others put him up to it, claiming it would allow him greater control over the dog.
Bestiality in Virginia falls under crimes against nature, which is a felony charge but requires “carnal knowledge” of an animal, implying intercourse.
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Reader Reactions
The dog refused to testify. No way he would “bite” the hand that “feeds” him. LMFAO! This is still gross, and they should be removed from duty due to uncurable stupidity. You just can’t fix stupid. Idiots. ;(
You folks realize that the officer was merely conducting one of the Pavlov dog experiments. Now whenever he raises his hand, the dog salivates.
Bet the dog is relieved that his handler won’t be out of commission.
COME ON NOW (no pun intended)! It’s not like the CO was rubbing the dogs nose. TO ME, anytime you masturbate an animal and it’s not for breeding purposes (ex.artificial insemination) it’s weird. I remember something about a man getting in trouble for letting a dog “LICK” on him. But of course he wasn’t a CO so the Vet would probably say that could be harmful to the dog. I just wish their(the CO’s) faces had been spattered all over the news. But then again, my opinion never seems to count.
You can “wack” a dog and not be charged, but whatever you do don’t stomp on a oppossum! WTF? You can’t make this stuff up.
Of course they won’t be charged! Big surprise. They should all be fired though - for stupidity if nothing else.
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