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A North Carolina cop filmed abusing his K-9 partner – slamming the police dog into an SUV – has resigned, department officials said.
The resignation of Salisbury Police Officer James Hampton came weeks after disturbing footage was sent anonymously to a local news station showing him lifting the K-9 on a leash, Zuul, around his shoulder and slam the animal to the side of the vehicle.
The shocking incident led to an investigation by a third-party agency for the “inappropriate discipline” distributed to the K-9 during a training session, Salisbury police said on Wednesday.
“The police department’s review determined that Constable Hampton acted in a manner that was totally inconsistent with his K-9 training and violated police department policy,” police said in a statement. “As a result, he was recommended for dismissal.”
Hampton then resigned, effective immediately, after a due process hearing and before any formal disciplinary action, department officials said.
“The police department did not instigate or demand the resignation of Constable Hampton, which he offered as of right,” the statement continued.
Police took note of the immediate calls for Hampton’s dismissal, but said he has due process like any other city employee.
A spokesperson for the City of Salisbury told NBC News that Hampton joined the department in 2013 and became a K-9 officer two years later.
Hampton could not be reached for comment on Wednesday, NBC News reported.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals officials, meanwhile, said Hampton’s resignation was a “step in the right direction,” but called for the former officer to face criminal charges.
“We want to know when cruelty charges are finally laid and what the Salisbury Police Department is doing to implement modern and humane training methods so that no other K-9 suffer like Zuul did.” PETA senior vice president Daphna Nachminovich said in a statement. “PETA looks forward to progress and transparency.”
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