Friday February 15, 2013, 5:40 am


According to news sources, Fort Myers Police Officer George Sanford was investigated after fellow officers reported him for punching his K9 partner, Euro, in the face during a narcotics training exercise. Reportedly, when the K9 officers were being rewarded for good work by being allowed to play tug-of-war with a towel, Euro tried to grab the towel from Sanford's hand, at which point Sanford allegedly punched the dog in between the eyes, causing him to yelp, wince, and urinate (likely because of fear) on the floor. Sanford was reportedly found to be in violation of the Fort Myers Police Department's policies, and it was apparently recommended that he undergo counseling and additional training. However, Sanford has reportedly been employed as a K9 handler for nine years—what additional training should he need to understand that he shouldn't punch his partner?

PETA's office is now being inundated with calls and e-mails from people who are outraged that Euro has allegedly been put back in Sanford's care! Please urge Fort Myers officials to secure Euro's safety and to reassign Sanford to non-animal–related duties. And please remember that this agency has a good track record of humane treatment of animals, so be sure to keep comments respectful.





Please send polite comments to:
Chief Douglas Baker
Fort Myers Police Department
dbaker@fmpolice.com
The Honorable Randy Henderson Jr.
Mayor of Fort Myers
info@cityftmyers.com

Friday February 15, 2013, 6:00 am
TY, Cher. Email sent.

Friday February 15, 2013, 6:04 am
Noted, emails below sent, twittered and google shared. Thanks for Chering.
According to news sources, Fort Myers Police Officer George Sanford was investigated after fellow officers reported him for punching his K9 partner, Euro, in the face during a narcotics training exercise. Reportedly, when the K9 officers were being rewarded for good work by being allowed to play tug-of-war with a towel, Euro tried to grab the towel from Sanford's hand, at which point Sanford allegedly punched the dog in between the eyes, causing him to yelp, wince, and urinate (likely because of fear) on the floor. Sanford was reportedly found to be in violation of the Fort Myers Police Department's policies, and it was apparently recommended that he undergo counseling and additional training. However, Sanford has reportedly been employed as a K9 handler for nine years—what additional training should he need to understand that he shouldn't punch his partner?

Friday February 15, 2013, 6:05 am
Will take action- thank you Cher

Friday February 15, 2013, 6:06 am
woops, got cut off, this is the email I sent.

I am writing to you to express my concern and outrage of the situation regarding Fort Meyers Police Officer George Sanford.

According to news sources, Fort Myers Police Officer George Sanford was investigated after fellow officers reported him for punching his K9 partner, Euro, in the face during a narcotics training exercise. Reportedly, when the K9 officers were being rewarded for good work by being allowed to play tug-of-war with a towel, Euro tried to grab the towel from Sanford's hand, at which point Sanford allegedly punched the dog in between the eyes, causing him to yelp, wince, and urinate (likely because of fear) on the floor. Sanford was reportedly found to be in violation of the Fort Myers Police Department's policies, and it was apparently recommended that he undergo counseling and additional training. However, Sanford has reportedly been employed as a K9 handler for nine years—what additional training should he need to understand that he shouldn't punch his partner?

I am respectfully requesting that Officer Sanford be reassigned to non-animal duties and that Euro be assigned to one of your other well trained officers. Your police department has an excellent record with your K-9 unit and I would hate to see that reputation besmirched by the actions of one officer.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this matter and for allowing me the opportunity to express my concern.

Sincerely yours,


Ms. Tamara Hayes

Friday February 15, 2013, 6:32 am
Thanks Cher. Email sent and article noted.

Friday February 15, 2013, 6:44 am
Noted and Email sent. Thank you

Friday February 15, 2013, 6:56 am
S&N

Friday February 15, 2013, 7:04 am
Done, TY Cher

Friday February 15, 2013, 7:13 am
Bastard! I would love to bat him right in the family jewels, see how that feels!!

Friday February 15, 2013, 7:17 am
Despicable coward - would serve him right if someone punched him.

E-mail sent, thanks.

Friday February 15, 2013, 7:45 am
Noted, will use Tamara's e-mail as a template as I do not trust myself to be polite.If this officer has been working there for 9 years then I do not believe that this is the first time that he mistreated a dog and it is irresponsible that the dog has been returned to him.

Friday February 15, 2013, 8:25 am
will do.

Friday February 15, 2013, 8:48 am
Absolutely!!

Friday February 15, 2013, 9:01 am
Doesn't sound like a suitable person to be a dog handler. Once an abuser always an abuser.

Friday February 15, 2013, 9:17 am
He should be relieved of duty ASAP.

Friday February 15, 2013, 9:25 am
Why on earth is this person allowed around dogs, or employed by the police at all, for that matter?

Friday February 15, 2013, 9:48 am
This guy needs more than counseling, I hope they will permanently remove him from any further contact with animals. At least it speaks well for the people who reported this awful thing.

Friday February 15, 2013, 9:54 am
emails sent

Friday February 15, 2013, 10:48 am
Will send letter. This has become an all too familiar story. Punch this "officer" until he can't move. Let him feel what that poor dog had to endure. People please, please write to reps about animal abuse and cruelty. Better yet-find the rep in your district and call. Oh and fire his sorry ass

Friday February 15, 2013, 10:54 am
this officer does not deserve to have a k-9 partner. his behavior proves just that. signed. thank you, cher.

Friday February 15, 2013, 11:21 am
Noted, emails sent. Thanks Tamara for a nice sample.

Friday February 15, 2013, 12:41 pm
Lets punch him in between the eyes

Friday February 15, 2013, 2:27 pm
I have never read a story like this in my life. I hope there is a follow up.

Friday February 15, 2013, 3:25 pm
sent to both parties

Friday February 15, 2013, 7:05 pm
Thanks Cher for posting the link. Letters to Police Chief Douglas Baker and Mayor Randy Henderson Jr. sent.
Posting noted.

Friday February 15, 2013, 8:20 pm
Oh come on! He gets the dog back! K9 Euro is an active employee of the department and he should be treated no less then his owner or any other officer. Euro should not have to go back with his "handler" as the idiot should no longer be aloud to work as an officer nor ever have a dog, Ever! He should be charged with assault! The way the dog reacted to the hit showed how afraid he was. If this idiot cop has had K9's for 9 years, gee I wonder how long he has been abusing them. Euro would die for this A-hole!

Saturday February 16, 2013, 2:46 am
Noted

Saturday February 16, 2013, 2:31 pm
Thank you Cher and also Tamara! Letters typed, not e-mails. WTF & POS!

Saturday February 16, 2013, 3:55 pm
Noted & emails sent

Sunday February 17, 2013, 7:15 am
noted

Sunday February 17, 2013, 11:44 am
Thanks Cher, noted and emails sent.

Sunday February 17, 2013, 10:12 pm
Noted and signed - and this evil monster should be taken to some alleyway and the crap punched out of him!

Monday February 18, 2013, 2:43 pm
noted

Tuesday February 19, 2013, 12:23 pm
My latest report on this issue: http://www.fox4now.com/news/local/191752021.html

Tuesday February 19, 2013, 12:26 pm
Here are links to view all 4 of my television reports on this issue regarding the officer striking his K-9 partner - including the officer's admission he did it:

1. http://www.fox4now.com/news/local/191131841.html
2. http://www.fox4now.com/news/local/191326701.html
3. http://www.fox4now.com/news/local/191478791.html
4. http://www.fox4now.com/news/local/191752021.html

Tuesday February 19, 2013, 12:29 pm
Here are links to view all 4 of my television reports on this issue regarding the officer striking his K-9 partner - including the officer's admission he did it:

1. http://www.fox4now.com/news/local/191131841.html
2. http://www.fox4now.com/news/local/191326701.html
3. http://www.fox4now.com/news/local/191478791.html
4. http://www.fox4now.com/news/local/191752021.html

Tuesday February 19, 2013, 7:54 pm
We finally got some action! The police Chief has launched an investigation into potential abuse throughout the entire K-9 unit at the department after what we uncovered. Hopefully it's a thorough investigation.

Link to report:
http://www.fox4now.com/news/local/191931571.html

Thursday February 21, 2013, 5:00 am
action to be taken!!! what a piece of crap human!! some of these cops have a big problem with smaller people and animals!!!

Sunday February 24, 2013, 5:53 pm
noted