Trial date set for Montville Township officer who left his K9 partner to die in cruiser

OHIO --A Montville Township officer whose police dog died after being left for hours in a police cruiser is scheduled to stand trial next month.

Sgt. Brett Harrison is charged with two counts of companion animal cruelty, both second-degree misdemeanors. He pleaded not guilty Oct. 29.

His bench trial is scheduled at 10 a.m. March 25 at Medina Municipal Court.

Harrison is charged in connection with the death of K-9 Beny, who died Sept. 28 after being left in a police cruiser for more than four hours. Beny died as a result of injuries consistent with heat stroke, police said.

Harrison's court dates have been postponed four times since his arraignment. He was originally scheduled to stand trial Dec. 10.

A Medina County SPCA agent gathered evidence in the case by interviewing Montville Township officers, reviewing security footage and inspecting Harrison's police cruiser. Prosecutor Jeff Holland reviewed that evidence and recommended charges be filed.

Sgt. Brett Harrison and K9 Officer Beny - before he killed him
(Photo: Montville Police Department, Facebook)

Montville Township officials suspended Harrison for two weeks without pay for violating department policy and procedures. Forty vacation hours were also taken from him.

Harrison has since been reassigned and will not be handling another K-9, Montville Township Police Chief Terry Grice said in October.
(Cleveland.com - Feb 18, 2015)

Earlier:

• Cop suspended after letting his K9 partner cook to death in his cruiser
• Editorial: Dead K9s' partners don't deserve badges