FLORIDA -- A Hollywood police officer was suspended Monday amid allegations she abused and neglected her dog.
Officer Ashley Reed, 27, a three-year veteran, was charged by her own department with misdemeanor animal neglect and was issued a notice to appear in court, Hollywood police Capt. Tony Rode said.
The dog, a male pit bull named Hurricane, "appeared to be suffering from severe malnutrition coupled with signs of neglect and/or abuse to the face, the stomach and the feet," Rode said.
Detectives from the department's animal abuse unit opened an investigation Monday morning after being contacted by the Hollywood Animal Hospital.
Staff at the animal clinic declined to comment and referred all questions to police. Officers would not say how the hospital came to examine the animal.
"She will not get the dog back," Rode said. "Hollywood police have put a hold on the animal so that it not be returned, pending a court order."
In addition, he said, Reed "was issued a notice to appear in lieu of a physical arrest and [was] immediately suspended by authority of the chief of police."
Reed already was the focus of an unrelated investigation by the internal affairs unit for ongoing performance-related issues. Last month, she was reassigned from patrol duty to administrative duty, Rode said.
(Sun Sentinel - December 23, 2003)
