Ramsey County K9 Officer Charged With Assaulting His Dog

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Ramsey County sheriff's deputy is on leave after he was accused of repeatedly hitting his police dog.

Forty-eight-year-old Brett Berry of Arden Hills was charged Friday in Carlton County with animal cruelty and assaulting a public safety dog, both misdemeanors.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports the incident happened June 15th, while Berry was staying at the Black Bear Casino and Resort with other sheriff's deputies for K-9 certification trials.

Casino security called for assistance at 3 a.m. after security video footage showed Berry beating the dog.

Berry was sent home and placed on paid administrative leave. His K-9 was taken from him. No injuries were found.

A spokesman says the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office is "troubled by these allegations." A court hearing is set for July 23rd.