Aa
Pennsylvania man accused of killing police dog goes on trial
(Reuters) - Jury selection began on Monday for a Pennsylvania man accused of killing a police dog, a case that inspired the state's "Rocco's Law" that toughened penalties for such crimes.
John Lewis Rush, 22, is accused of fatally stabbing Rocco, an 8-year-old German Shepherd, while Pittsburgh police were trying to arrest him in January on outstanding warrants, parole violation and failure to register as a sex offender.
Cornered in a building basement, Rush allegedly jumped out from behind a pillar and stabbed the dog before he was subdued and arrested, police said.
The dog died two days later at a veterinary clinic of spinal and kidney injuries, according to officials.
Hundreds of people attended its funeral, according to local media accounts.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett signed "Rocco's Law" in July. It increases penalties for killing a police animal to 10 years in prison from seven years and includes a $25,000 fine.
Rush has been charged with aggravated assault, abusing a police animal, resisting arrest, cruelty to animals and other charges.
If convicted in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, he will sentenced by Judge Jill Rangos under the old law.
His outstanding warrants for robbery, aggravated assault and robbery stemmed from a 2013 home invasion in Pittsburgh, state judicial records showed.
He also was wanted for violation of probation and parole stemming from a 2012 conviction for statutory sexual assault of an underage girl and failure to register as a sex offender.
SOURCE: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/08/us-usa-crime-policedog-idUSKBN0JM22C20141208
John Lewis Rush, 22, is accused of fatally stabbing Rocco, an 8-year-old German Shepherd, while Pittsburgh police were trying to arrest him in January on outstanding warrants, parole violation and failure to register as a sex offender.
Cornered in a building basement, Rush allegedly jumped out from behind a pillar and stabbed the dog before he was subdued and arrested, police said.
The dog died two days later at a veterinary clinic of spinal and kidney injuries, according to officials.
Hundreds of people attended its funeral, according to local media accounts.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett signed "Rocco's Law" in July. It increases penalties for killing a police animal to 10 years in prison from seven years and includes a $25,000 fine.
Rush has been charged with aggravated assault, abusing a police animal, resisting arrest, cruelty to animals and other charges.
If convicted in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, he will sentenced by Judge Jill Rangos under the old law.
His outstanding warrants for robbery, aggravated assault and robbery stemmed from a 2013 home invasion in Pittsburgh, state judicial records showed.
He also was wanted for violation of probation and parole stemming from a 2012 conviction for statutory sexual assault of an underage girl and failure to register as a sex offender.
SOURCE: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/08/us-usa-crime-policedog-idUSKBN0JM22C20141208
I suggest its stupid to break the law and have to worry about dealing with a police dog.
"Maybe we ought to give police dogs pensions too."
I agree, they should have a good life after a life of service protecting citizen's like you and I.
I agree, they should have a good life after a life of service protecting citizen's like you and I.
I'd rather a police dog have a pension to insure that it's taken care of after it's retired from duty, than a corporation to have rights.
Rocco's Law is bad law and stupid law too.
Maybe we ought to give police dogs pensions too.
After all - corporations have the freedom of speech.
Maybe we ought to give police dogs pensions too.
After all - corporations have the freedom of speech.
Wide swath of crimes that guy cut?
What an upstanding citizen.
You must join this user group in order to participate in this discussion.
You are reading content posted in the Current Events . . . Group
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
