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CAPE CORAL, Fla. - PETA or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals says it's been flooded with calls about why Fort Myers police officer George Sanford still has his dog after an investigation states he hit his dog, "Euro" during a training exercise.

 

He admitted to striking the dog after he thought Euro was going to bite him and has since been reprimanded even pointing the finger at others in the department.

"Because the other handlers have done things to their dogs that are a lot worse that what I've done to him, you know," said Sanford.

Now PETA recently posted an action alert on its website with this statement.

"Please urge Fort Myers officials to secure Euro's safety and to reassign Sanford to non-animal-related duties."

Many of you agree and have called our station. 

"Take the dogs away from people that can't treat them right," said Lois from Fort Myers.

Anthony from Naples agrees and said, "It's a shame that these are people who are supposed to be upholding the law and would possibly arrest me or cite me for striking my dog but yet they feel that it's okay to do with theirs."

Sandy also from Naples is glad PETA is getting involved and added, "It's wrong! You don't hit your animal. You don't abuse that if he does need to step in from the outside."

Mike posting on Facebook in support of the officer and said in part: "I strongly suggest you all do some actual research on the reality of the social species of canines before castigating the handler."