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Corporal David Acosta is accused of harming a law enforcement animal and two counts of animal cruelty for allegedly mistreating a 2-year-old bloodhound named Daisy.
WASHINGTON — A Prince George’s County police officer was charged Wednesday with animal cruelty for allegedly mistreating a K-9 officer in his care.
Corporal David Acosta faces a felony charge of harming a law enforcement animal and two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty over injuries reportedly found on the neck of a two-year-old bloodhound named Daisy that was assigned to him. During a press conference Thursday, Prince George’s County Police Chief Malik Aziz said Acosta had been suspended without pay while the department conducts an internal investigation.
“I’m appalled. Disgusted,” Aziz said. “No animal deserves mistreatment.”
The department announced the charges Thursday and said Daisy and a second dog, a Belgian Malinois named Spartacus, had been removed from Acosta’s care and permanently reassigned to veteran handlers in the canine section.
According to the department, Acosta was suspended last month for an unrelated incident. As part of that suspension, officers were sent to retrieve Daisy and Spartacus from Acosta’s care. While picking up the dogs, the handlers observed what the department described as “injuries related to an e-collar” on Daisy’s neck. The department said Daisy was then brought to a veterinarian, where it was determined she had additional medical conditions that also required medical care.
“This situation involving Daisy is appalling,” Aziz said. “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.”
In a press release Thursday, the department said going forward a supervising officer will now conduct a detailed visual inspection of every canine in their unit on a weekly basis. They will also conduct bi-monthly in-depth inspections and bi-annual kennel inspections.
The charges against Acosta, who has been with the department since 2006, were filed Wednesday in the District Court for Prince George’s County. He was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 13.
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