FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — PETA is sending a message to Fayetteville police and city leaders through four new billboards near the downtown.
The signs have a picture of a police officer and a K-9 with a message that reads, “Good Dog, Bad Cop. Bring dog punching officer to justice. Retire abused K-9 now.”
“We hope that the Fayetteville Police Department, city council and residents see the four billboards that we placed and recognize the cruelty that the K-9 endured,” said Elise Fisher with PETA.
In June, a cell phone video went viral of a Fayetteville officer aggressively handling and punching his K-9. Police said an internal investigation that included watching the officer’s bodycam video determined the dog bit the officer. The dog didn’t follow any commands or respond to collar manipulation before the officer punched the dog seven times.
“The Fayetteville Police Department’s response is victim blaming at its worst,” Fisher said.
Viral video shows police in North Carolina hitting K-9; department releases statement