Troubling K-9 incident shows animal cruelty issues persists

Months ago, I wrote about how I was planning on writing a book relating my personal experiences about animals in Solano County.

Now, I am inclined to include the experiences of others as well.

Not all is joyful when it comes to the treatment of animals in this county.

On Jan. 3, a truly disturbing incident occurred here in Vacaville.

An observant citizen, Roberto Palomino, witnessed and captured on video a Vacaville police officer pinning down his future working “partner” on his back and punching him multiple times.

His future partner was a canine in training to assist in drug raids, criminal activity and to cover his fellow officer’s back in times of dangerous confrontations.

Such violence inflicted upon any sentient being is not an action that encourages trust and bonding, but rather the opposite. Brutal force negates trust.

It was a despicable way to begin the year, especially since this officer failed miserably in the oath taken to protect, bringing mistrust with the public and shame on the department.

As the officer maliciously strikes the dog in the face, he looks around to make sure no one saw his dishonorable conduct. This brings the question: When no one is watching, are you acting lawfully and fulfilling your oath to protect?

The video has gone viral, and the public outrage swift and condemning.

For all the hard-working dedicated police officers seeking the trust of the community, it was yet another setback by an officer going rogue.

When Captain Matt Lydon was questioned by the press about this transgression of public trust, his response was in defense of the officer, declaring that the officer was correct in the training and that it was a position of “dominance.” Such a response generates even more questions.

Who is this captain that sanctions such violent methods to achieve obedience?

Is his opinion based on accepted methods of animal behavior or just dominant control over sentient creatures? How long have these violent methods been permitted and authorized?

What is the Vacaville Police Department’s training technique protocols for the K-9 staff?

Is there a psychological test done on the trainers that have projected the use of physical force or the officers receiving this method of training?

Who oversees the training of the K-9 and those police officers involved in training?

Is the body camera on while the officer is training or patrolling?

Is there a manual for officers about animal law in the state of California while applying for this position?

Are officers given refresher courses about changes to current laws against animal cruelty?

The California Penal Code 597 PC defines the crime of animal abuse pertaining to domestic, stray, wild and farm animals. Accordingly, torture is an action — or a failure to act — that causes unnecessary, physical pain or suffering.

Punching a dog repeatedly as documented in this video confirms there was physical pain and suffering as heard by the cries of this “dominated” K-9 sentient creature.

This is obviously ignored in Capt. Matt Lydon’s reasoning. More questions come to mind. Why is the name of the veterinarian — who stated that the condition of the dog was fine — omitted to the press and public?

Really?! As this K-9 grows in age and is fortunate to be placed in a stable home and absent from the military imposed method of K-9 life, side effects from several blows to the head may result in brain injury, causing further health trauma down the road.

Who is the unnamed third individual involved in the aftercare of this K-9 police partner?

The response from the Vacaville Police eepartment to this incident only generated more questions.