K-9 cop accused of killing dogs

NAUGATUCK — Suspended New Canaan K-9 Officer David Rivera Jr. and Daniel Luna, his general manager of Black Rock Canines, had a way of dealing with dogs they felt couldn’t be trained, former and current employees told investigators, according to court documents.

Luna is accused of shooting the dogs in the head while he served them dinner, court documents said. Rivera, whose own police K-9 was revoked by his department, would use heavy equipment to bury the animals at the Naugatuck property at 100 Hunters Mountain Road, according to an arrest warrant charging Luna with close to 20 counts, including cruelty to animals, unlawful euthanization of a canine and reckless endangerment.

“The allegations outlined in these affidavits are not only illegal but also disheartening,” Naugatuck Police Chief Colin McAllister said.

“As a police agency with three successful working K-9s that serve our community to their highest capacity, we are appalled at the treatment that other dogs of the same caliber were given while under the care of Black Rock Canines.”

Rivera was suspended from the New Canaan Police Department last week after his arrest by Stratford police on charges he had illegally possessed and stored explosives at his home as part of the dog training business he ran on the side.

Rivera surrendered Monday to Naugatuck police after a warrant was issued for his arrest on accusations he and Luna shot and killed dogs and abused other animals at Black Rock Canines, which trained and sold dogs to police departments and other law enforcement agencies and private citizens, McAllister said.

Rivera was charged by Naugatuck police with conspiracy to commit animal cruelty, first-degree reckless endangerment and conspiracy to commit euthanization. Rivera was released after posting $150,000 bond and will appear May 18 in state Superior Court in Waterbury on the new charges.