BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A Bakersfield police officer accused of repeatedly urging a K-9 to attack a woman who was no longer resisting — allegedly going so far as to put her hand by the dog’s mouth — had a not guilty plea entered on his behalf Thursday.
The dog, named Atlas, did not follow Anthony Berumen’s commands and did not bite the woman, according to court documents.
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Attorney Steven Alvarado conducted a counter arraignment for Berumen, who wasn’t present. Alvarado spoke with a clerk and had a not guilty plea entered and a pretrial conference set for Jan. 17.
Alvarado works for the firm of Rains Lucia Stern St. Phalle & Silver, which specializes in representing peace officers and has multiple locations in California.
“Officer Berumen has dutifully served this local community for over a decade,” Alvarado said in an email after the hearing. “I look forward to reviewing the totality of the evidence in this case and defending a good cop’s name and reputation.”