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A North Carolina policeman who was seen in video appearing to lift a police dog by its leash and slam it into the side of a patrol car has resigned, police said Wednesday.
Salisbury Police Officer James Hampton tendered his resignation after the Department recommended his dismissal, the Department said in a press release.
A video was sent to WJZY, the Fox affiliate television station serving Charlotte, earlier this month, according to the station. In the video, a dog – later identified as Zuul – exits the vehicle. An officer can be heard screaming, then walks over to the dog and puts a leash on it. The officer takes the dog by the leash and flips the K-9 over his shoulder as he walks back to the car.
“We’re good, no witnesses,” someone can be heard in the video.
Shortly after, the officer appears to slam Zuul to the side of the vehicle before pushing the dog inside. He then seems to hit the dog.
The Salisbury Police Department has confirmed Constable James Hampton to be the dog handler. The SPD said Hampton had “engaged in inappropriate discipline of Zuul.”
They said a department review determined that he acted “in a manner wholly inconsistent with his K-9 training and violated police department policy.”
Zuul, the K-9 pictured in the police video.
(Salisbury Police Department)
Hampton tendered his resignation after a due process hearing. SPD said it will continue to review and make necessary changes to our K-9 training operations, policies and procedures that align with industry best practices. “
NORTH CAROLINA POLICE K-9 DOES SURGERY
Salisbury Police Chief Jerry Stokes told reporters earlier this month that Hampton was separated from the K-9 while the SPD carried out a review.
“The dog was not injured and is healthy and well cared for,” he said.
The Chief noted that police dogs are trained to use force against criminal suspects and that a handler must ensure they have full control over the dog at all times. He added that at no time had a Taser been used on the animal.
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“When a dog does not comply with the handler’s commands, the handler is trained to correct the dog,” Stokes said. “Dog training tactics and corrective action can be alarming at times out of context. SPD cannot and will not comment on whether the training tactics used in the video were appropriate, as this is still under review.
Fox News’ David Aaron contributed to this report.
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