DAVIS COUNTY, Utah — Police K-9 handlers across the country say they are “appalled” with the alleged conduct of Corporal Timothy Robinson of the Davis County Sheriff’s Office.
Robinson is accused of repeatedly punching Rolf, his police dog.
He was placed on administrative leave after two others K-9 handlers witnessed the incident.
One handler reported “5-10 strikes.”
The other handler reported Robinson “punching Rolf with a closed fist multiple times” with Rolf “cowering” instead of fighting back.
The incident reportedly started when Robinson noticed Rolf peeing on the floor.
“I’ve been doing this for 32 years, and this is extremely rare,” said Gregg Tawney, a police K-9 trainer who also hosts Police K9 Radio. “We don’t teach punching dogs for corrections. The difference is night and day... and, honestly, in the industry it’s generally not an issue because the guys love their dogs and that’s the last thing they want to do is hurt their dogs.”
“By the cowering, I think (Rolf) was kind of telling his handler, ‘Yup, you’re right. You’re the boss.’”
Robinson is being represented by attorneys with the Utah Fraternal Order of Police. The union declined to comment.
Animal Cruelty by Police
According to the Utah Criminal Justice Institute, there have been three sustained cases of animal cruelty by officers in Utah since 2009.
Russell B. Whittle, who worked for the Utah Department of Corrections, was convicted of animal cruelty for throwing a pit bull against a wall that had attacked his dog. He was given a 6-month suspension in 2013.
Jason Whittier, who worked for the Cache County Sheriff’s Office, was charged in 2017 with recklessly causing the death of his patrol dog Endy after the K-9 was left in an unattended patrol vehicle. POST suspended his police certification in 2018.
David Bingham, who also worked for the Utah Department of Corrections, had his certification revoked for cruelty to animals, forgery, and falsifying a government record in 2019.
"Corrections" vs. Assault
Robert Barlow, who trains police dogs for the company B Hyve K-9, said he did not want to comment on the specifics of the case.
He explained that punching a K-9 is inappropriate except for extreme circumstances, such as the dog attacking a child or innocent victim.
“Most K-9 handlers, there’s a special bond between the handler and the dog,” Barlow said. “I mean, I spent more time with (my) K-9, Judge, than I did my own children and my spouse.”
Balanced dog trainers like Barlow and Tawney use a mix of positive reinforcement and “corrections” to train K-9s.
A “correction” might be the use of the word “no,” or a quick pull on the dog’s leash to get their attention, followed by a redirection into positive behaviors.
“I don’t know the guy personally, but I know the way we’re trained to handle our dogs is... we don’t teach to abuse the dogs,” Barlow said. “It’s not good for citizens to do or police officers to do. I really applaud those guys who stood up and reported that, because it shows that they’re holding themselves to a higher standard.”
Barlow and Tawney stated a dog peeing on the floor is not something that warrants a "correction."
They say it can be surprisingly common and normal for a K-9 to pee or poop on the floor while working.
“Especially if they get close to a suspect and they smell that adrenaline,” Barlow said. “I always let (Judge) go potty beforehand, and he’d still poop in the middle of a search... Peeing in the house isn’t a disqualifier for police dogs. It’s not a disqualifier for any dog, I don’t believe.”
“If the dog has to eliminate, and he really has to pee or he has to defecate, then we let him,” Tawney said. “I did feel compelled to do this interview, because I want to make sure the public doesn’t think this (case) is a routine thing... I’ve never seen it, nor would I tolerate it.”
Another active K-9 handler in Utah, who asked not to be identified, said the case made him feel shocked and discouraged.
“There is a time to discipline the dogs and some handlers can take it too far,” he said. “I have given my patrol dog some hard corrections, but I never punched my dog even when he bit me. Dogs have accidents, and they are not perfect.”
Interference vs. Animal Abuse vs. Assault on a Peace Officer
The charge filed against Robinson is “176-9-306(3) - INTERFERING WITH A POLICE SERVICE ANIMAL OR HANDLER.”
Although the word “interfere” may sound less serious than animal abuse, prosecutors with the Davis County Attorney’s Office have clarified to FOX 13 News that they filed the highest-possible charge.
The "interfering” charge is a Class A Misdemeanor, whereas animal abuse is only classified as a Class B Misdemeanor.
Prosecutors said they could not charge Robinson with a felony because Rolf was not injured.
Robinson was not charged with “assault on a peace officer” because the criminal statute only applies to humans.
“What he did was inexcusable, and I’m glad to see that the agency took the dog. I’m glad to see that they’re filing charges, and I’m glad to see that he’s not working the street,” Tawney said. “Under no circumstances should there ever be punching or kicking a dog. It’s just not acceptable, it’s not productive, and it’s not moral or ethical.”
K-9s in the United States Military
In the United States armed forces, K-9s often outrank their handlers.
According to the US Army, the designation is a symbol of respect.
“I see it all the time, especially in these young handlers,” said Sgt. 1st Class Regina Johnson, operations superintendent at the Military Working Dog School. “They make the mistake of thinking they’re actually in charge. You’ve got to tell them, ‘Hold up. That dog has trained 100 students. That dog is trying to tell you something.’ I think the tradition grew out of a few handlers recognizing the dog as their partner."