Sheriff's Office Will Not Press Charges in Death of K-9

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Posted: 7:11 PM Dec 19, 2011 Sheriff's Office Will Not Press Charges in Death of K-9 The Louisa County Sheriff's Department is working with the owner of a pit bull who killed their K-9 officer, Maggie, last week. The sheriff's office says they will not press charges. Reporter: Carter Johnson Email Address: carter.johnson@newsplex.com

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December 19, 2011

The Louisa County Sheriff's Department is working with the owner of a pit bull who killed their K-9 officer, Maggie, last week. The sheriff's office says they will not press charges.

The pit bull, named Coco, has been held at the animal shelter since the attack that killed Louisa County Officer K-9 Maggie.

Friday, the Sheriff's Department and Coco's owner, Alfred Bennett came to an agreement and the issue will not go to court.

No charges will be filed as long as Bennett agrees to keep Coco in a pen and not on a leash where she could escape.

They say they put emotions aside to come to a fair agreement, but want to make sure the pit bull is contained and can't hurt any other animals.

A memorial for Maggie will take place at the end of January.

December 13, 2011

“It’s just an unfortunate, tragic accident. I wish it could go back and be undone,” said a distraught Alfred Bennett.

The Louisa County dog owner was visibly upset Tuesday when he spoke with CBS19. Bennett’s pit bull, Coco, is being held responsible for the death of Maggie, a K-9 in the Louisa County Sheriff’s Department killed in the line of duty.

Lieutenant Patrick Sheridan, the K-9's partner and owner, says he, two other deputies and Maggie responded to reports of an suicidal person in the area of a home Courthouse Road in the early morning hours of Saturday, Dec. 10. All four were tracking the unnamed person when they say Coco appeared from the darkness and attacked Maggie.

The deputies were able to wrestle Maggie's attacker away from her, but the beloved tan and brown bloodhound did not survive the attack. She died on Monday.

“This dog viciously bit Maggie several times and it was substantial enough to infect her and ultimately kill her,” said Major Lowe, advocating that Coco be declared vicious and possibly put down.

Bennett says Coco, who is being held at a local animal shelter, is a member of his family, just as Maggie was a member of Lt. Sheridan’s. He maintains his pit bull is not a danger to society.

“I want to personally send out my heartfelt and deepest sympathies to the officer. It was a tragic accident. No one meant for this to happen in any way, shape or form,” he said. “[Coco] is not a vicious animal, that’s all I want to get across.”

Members of the sheriff’s department say Maggie’s death could have been prevented. They say Coco was roaming free when he attacked, but Bennett argues that’s because he escaped from his harness.

“He got off the chain. When they picked him up he still had the harness on him. I don’t believe in letting dogs run at large, period,” he said emphatically.

Hurting his master's argument, Coco has already caused problems after just three days at the animal shelter. “The first night they put the dog in the shelter he chewed through the cage and got loose. They had to recapture him,” Major Lowe explained.

Maggie, a six-year veteran, worked more than 300 cases with the sheriff's department, helping to solve crimes and locate missing people. Major Lowe called her an irreplaceable member of the team.

A memorial service is being planned for Maggie to honor her service in Louisa County and across Central Virginia. You can learn more about Maggie and Lt. Sheridan and offer your condolences on the Louisa County Sheriff's Department Facebook page.

Latest Comments

Posted by: reader on Dec 30, 2011 at 05:20 PM

Why is it that no one holds the county personnel responsible for taking proper steps to make sure Maggie did not suffer from infection. Anyone knows that dog bites lead to infection. To ignore that and fail to have the dog treated and placed on antibiotics is truly simply irresponsible!

Posted by: gerg Location: va on Dec 23, 2011 at 08:01 AM

This whole incident is due to Loisa police trespassing when police think they can do what they want and not follow the constituition stuff like this happens A friend in Louisa woke one night to find three men standing in his yard he noticed that they were deputies and when he went outside and asked them what they were doing he was told that they had a call about suspious activity when he said how can anyone report this but me and you guys are lucky you did not get shot for messing around my house in the middle of the night the officers asked my friend what are you threating us he said no you are trespassing on my property in the middle of the night where is your warrant dont need one he was told so his 4 th amendent rights were broke maybe this can let others know that police break laws and when something happens it is alway someone elses fault

Posted by: Chuck on Dec 21, 2011 at 03:59 PM

While I feel for you and your dog. You cannot deflect your culpability in allowing your dog to be in the situation it found himself in. While I do not advocate putting your dog down (unless he displays aggressive behavior that would lead anyone to believe he could be a danger); the fact of the matter is he still bit and killed a K-9 Officer that is the property of the community and has served her community well. In my opinion you, the pet owner, should be held financially responsible for the treatment of that K-9 and the cost of replacing her. This is akin to you forgetting to put your car in PARK and it rolling into a Police Cruiser. Either you (or your insurance) would be required to pay for the damages even though you or your dog did not intend any malice.

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