Animal advocates demanding justice for Fort Myers K-9 officer

By Katie Jones

CREATED Mar. 4, 2013

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  • Animal rights advocates demanding justice for a Fort Myers K-9 officer Video by fox4now.com

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 Fort Myers, Fla.-

Justice for Euro, that is the goal for some Southwest Florida animal rights advocates. They're furious about how a Fort Myers police officer handled his K-9 partner. They went before Fort Myers City Council members Monday with questions and concerns about K-9 officer Euro. They're asking city leaders to re-open the investigation.

 

 

"When an officer is not given the absolute respect, that is a canine officer, that every other officer gets, then there is a problem." One advocate said.

An internal affairs report states last October, two officers reported seeing officer George Sanford strike Euro multiple times during a training session. They said Euro cowered down and urinated on the floor. Last month Officer Sanford admitted to FOX4 that he did hit Euro, but said he never abused him.

"Yes I did smack Euro in the nose twice, two or three times." Officer Sanford told FOX4 last month.
 
He said it happened when Euro nearly bit him during the training exercise. Officer Sanford was reprimanded and was allowed to keep Euro. 
Advocate BJ Gerald said.
" Maybe this is not an isolated incident, maybe it is, maybe other officers do it also. It doesn't make it right. No one should be hitting an animal or another human being." Gerald said.
The story has sparked national attention and now city leaders are also taking notice.
 
We asked Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson if he would consider re-opening the investigation
"Oh absolutely if the information is warranted we'd be compelled to. I believe what we really want to do is find out if there's a problem and deal with it in the appropriate ways and once we get more facts, I'm confident we'll do that." Mayor Henderson said.
The mayor said he, city council members and the city manager will carefully look into the questions and concerns and will bring the issue up at the next council meeting.