((Ed. Note: This is an update to an earlier story which ran on June 11, 2002.))
By Calibre Press
Canine Police Officer Dolpho from Pennsylvania has been accused of racial profiling after attacking a 9-year-old African-American boy. McKees Rock City Councilwoman, Wanda Jones Dixon, insists that the dog be put to sleep.
The five-year-old German shepherd is the only K9 the McKees Rock Police Department has. He was imported from Europe two years ago and is trained in drug detection and patrol.
This accusation was prompted when the dog attacked the boy last week, while the dog’s handler, Schawn Barger, was wrestling with a drug suspect. Somehow the quick-release button on his belt was activated, and the K-9 wagon door was released.
Dolpho jumped out and bit the boy on the leg instead of attacking the suspect. The dog dragged the boy for about 20 feet, according to family members.
Barger defended Dolpho, explaining that, “The dog saw movement. There was a lot of noise -- a lot of screaming.” “It was basically just complete chaos and the dog, he just could not tell who the bad guy was and who the good people were.”
Dixon claims that she had heard several complaints about the dog prior to the incident with the boy.
“I had received complaints from African-Americans saying they believe the dog attacks only African-Americans.” I think the dog makes the distinction,” Dixon told the council.
“To say the dog is racial, that’s ludicrous,” said Chief Robert Martineau. “That doesn’t make sense.”
The boy was treated for the dog bite and released last Friday.
“This is something that will take him a while to get over,” said Lorraine Livingston, the bo’s mother. “The officer had no control over that animal. That dog should be put to sleep.”
Newsline spoke with the McKees Rock department to update the progress of the investigation. The department, which backs Dolpho and Officer Barger 100%, is still currently conducting the investigation into the incident and the councilwoman’s accusation. Meanwhile, Dolpho is off active duty.
Letters of support from fellow officers can be sent to:
The McKees Rock Police Dept. 340 Bell Ave. McKees Rock, PA. 15136
Or, they can be faxed to 412-331-1397