Sheriff Deputy Caught Abusing His K9 Partner on Video **UPDATE 7/3** [WARNING-GRAPHIC IMAGES]

This story gets me sick! Let me share the facts with you. A sheriff deputy was caught abusing his K9 partner on video at a casino in Minnesota.

A Ramsey County (MN) Sheriff deputy faces criminal charges.  48-year-old Brett Arthur Berry was at a casino with his  K9 partner for a certification event. The officer was seen on surveillance camera leaving the lounge at the casino, going to his hotel room and then leaving the room carrying the dog and was visibly upset. He is next seen on camera picking the dog up by his collar and throwing him to the ground. The dog ran back to the casino, got stuck in the automatic casino doors and Berry is seen catching up to his partner and then hitting him several times with his fist.

The Carlton Sheriff's department was called to the casino from employees at the casino security about 3 AM on a animal cruelty charge. It is worth noting that Officer Berry was asked to leave the casino lounge earlier because of complaints from casino staff.

The Ramsey County Sheriff's office released a statement saying they are troubled by the incident and also said-

“Deputy Berry was sent home from the K-9 trials and placed on administrative leave,” the sheriff’s office said. “The K-9 was evaluated by a veterinarian and no injuries were found. The K-9 partner is currently in the care of others.”

The 18 year veteran was booked and has been charged with two misdemeanor counts: one for assaulting a public safety dog and one for animal cruelty.

Here is my question, in normal situations, if you or I  would hurt, abuse or kill a police dog, we are charged with the same charges as if we did the offense to a human police officer. Why is it, this situation and so many other situations like this is different. Why does society have a double standard? This officer should be charged with the same offense as assaulting a human police officer. After all, this was his partner.

I must warn you, this video is very disturbing.

***UPDATE  7/3***

We have an update on K9 Officer Boone. The Ramsey County Sheriff's office released a statement on the dogs condition and posted a video of Officer Boone working the obstacle course with his temporary handler/ partner.

“Here is Boone on our K-9 training field. As you can see from the video, he loves his job and is very good at it. Thank you for your continued concern for Boone, we greatly appreciate it.”

(source)