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Prince George’s County Police Department Corporal DAVID ACOSTA charged for mistreating two dogs

- Maryland, USA -

 

The Prince George’s County Police Department has charged Corporal DAVID ACOSTA (pictured), a Canine Section officer, with a total of four counts of animal cruelty stemming from the mistreatment of two dogs assigned to him.

 

An initial press release by the police, announced that ACOSTA had been charged with three counts of animal cruelty, one of which is a felony, in connection with the mistreatment of a two-year-old bloodhound named Daisy. In an update, police advised that ACOSTA is additionally facing a misdemeanor count of animal cruelty in reference to a seven-year-old Belgian Malinois named Spartacus.  

 

According to police, on July 14, 2024, the department suspended ACOSTA “for an unrelated incident.” As part of that suspension process, Daisy and Spartacus were removed by two Canine Section handlers. After the furvictims were picked up, “the handlers observed injuries related to an e-collar on Daisy’s neck. She was brought to a veterinarian for treatment. Daisy also had other medical conditions that required medical care”, stated the release.

 

The Internal Affairs Division then launched an investigation that ultimately resulted in the charges being filed against ACOSTA.

  

Police said that ACOSTA joined the Prince George’s County Police Department in 2006. He’s  currently assigned to the Special Operations Division. He will be suspended without pay.

 

Meanwhile, Daisy and Spartacus have been permanently removed from ACOSTA’s care and have been reassigned to two veteran handlers within the section. Thankfully, Daisy is fine and the police said she is back at work.

 

Prince George’s County Police Chief Malik Aziz said in a statement: “This situation involving Daisy is appalling. She is a part of the PGPD family. I expect that all of our handlers treat their canine partners with the utmost care and concern. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first incident of animal mistreatment in the 60-year history of the Canine Section. We have now put new policies into place with the intention of this being both the first and last. This investigation is in the early stages and will be thorough. I too want to know how this occurred. In the meantime, I’m glad to report that Daisy is doing well and back to work. Bloodhounds play a crucial role in our agency’s service to the community, primarily with assisting in searches for missing people.”

 

This remains an active internal investigation. Anyone who has information relevant to this investigation is urged to contact the Internal Affairs Division at (301) - 516 - 5721. Thank you!

  

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Prince George’s County Police Department. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

  



 

TRAVIS RAY SNUFFER, chief of the Pennsboro PD, arrested for leaving his K9 in his police cruiser

Updated: Oct 20, 2024

- West Virginia, USA -

 

On June 20, 2024, the West Union Police Department filed a complaint against Pennsboro Police chief TRAVIS RAY SNUFFER (pictured via WBOY) accusing him of leaving his K9 Officer Judge in a hot car.

 

According to the complaint, SNUFFER “actually left his police K9 (Judge) in the backseat of his 2009 Dodge Charger police cruiser,” reported WBOY.

 

The news outlet further reported, “The complaint noted that the vehicle was ‘inoperable’ and that ‘all windows were open and no air conditioning was available’ and that the outside temperature ‘was between 85 and 90 degrees with hot sun shining over the vehicle’.”

 

Reportedly, while K9 Officer Judge was locked up in the hot vehicle, SNUFFER had left his West Union residence and went to Clarksburg.

 

SNUFFER was arrested on June 21, 2024, and charged with cruelty to animals.

On June 22, 2024, he pleaded not guilty. Two days later, he posted a $6,000 bond.

 

As reported by WBOY, SNUFFER’s significant other told them that K9 Officer Judge and SNUFFER’s previous K9, 13-year-old Officer Dexter, were taken and are safe.

 

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

 


Additional Source:



MATTHEW CHRISTOPHER AINSWORTH, former Georgia deputy, arrested for abusing his K9 Officer Neuro

Updated: Oct 20, 2024

- Georgia, USA -

 

The Richmond Hill Police Department announced the arrest of MATTHEW CHRISTOPHER AINSWORTH (pictured).

 

AINSWORTH is a former McIntosh County Sheriff's Deputy and a former Long County Sheriff's Deputy.

 

AINSWORTH was arrested on June 6, 2024, following an investigation conducted by Richmond Hill Police. A relative of AINSWORTH gave police video evidence showing him abusing his K9 Officer Neuro.

 

Reportedly, the abuse occurred in October 2023, while AINSWORTH was a deputy for the Long County Sheriff’s Office.

After AINSWORTH terminated his service for the Long County Sheriff’s Office, K9 Officer Neuro was transferred to a different agency because there was not another handler to take care of him.

 

In March 2024, AINSWORTH became a deputy for the McIntosh County Sheriff's Office but he was fired on Thursday after being arrested at his Richmond Hill home.

 

Police did not release details of the abuse inflicted upon K9 Officer Neuro. Captain Brad Sykes with Richmond Hill PD told WJCL 22: “I don’t know the full extent of the injuries, but it was significant.”

 

AINSWORTH is facing felony aggravated animal cruelty charges.  Arrest records show he was released from the Bryan County Jail two days after his arrest.

 

Police said K9 Officer Neuro is doing well and according to WJCL 22, he is now “in the hands and working with Georgia Southern University Police on the Armstrong Campus.”

 

Reporter Andy Cole with WJCL 22 stopped by AINSWORTH’s home for a comment but no one answered the door. He heard dogs barking inside. Hopefully they will be removed.

 

The investigation is still ongoing.

 

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Richmond Hill Police Department and WJCL 22. Links included.

Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

 




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