Deputy Admits to Animal Cruelty Charge

CARLTON, Minn. (AP) — A Ramsey County sheriff's deputy accused of repeatedly hitting his police dog has pleaded guilty to a charge in Carlton County.

Forty-eight-year-old Brett Berry was charged in June with animal cruelty and assaulting a public safety dog, both misdemeanors. He pleaded guilty to animal cruelty Tuesday, and the other charge would be dropped as part of a plea agreement.

Berry and his K-9 partner, Boone, were attending K-9 certification trials in June in Carlton County when security video footage showed him beating the dog. In court Tuesday, Boone said he was "blackout drunk" when he hit the dog.

Berry was placed on administrative leave and then assigned to the detention division. His K-9 partner is back at work with a new handler.

Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 17.