Former Officer Indicted in K-9's Death

CANTON, GA -- The former Cherokee County school police officer charged in connection to the death of his K-9 partner has been indicted in the case.

A Cherokee County grand jury this week indicted Daniel Wood Peabody on two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and one count of making a false statement.

According to the indictment Peabody "maliciously caused the death" of Inka, a four-year-old Belgian Malinois, by leaving her in a patrol car that was turned off and had its windows rolled up.

Inka was employed by the Cherokee County School District as a K-9 officer and Peabody was her handler.

The indictment also alleges Peabody "maliciously" failed to provide adequate ventilation consistent with what one would believe is a normal requirement for an animal of Inka's size, species, breed, age and physical condition.

The making false statement charge stems from Peabody, during the investigation into Inka's death, allegedly informing investigators that another dog in his care, Dale, died by choking on a toy.

However, investigators later learned Peabody allegedly shot and killed Dale after he was retired from active service with the Cherokee County School Police Department.

The Cherokee County Marshal's Office was dispatched to a call of an unresponsive dog the evening of Friday, June 10. Inka was found deceased inside the car, and a necropsy determined the cause of death for the dog to be heat stroke.

In a shocking twist of events, the marshal's office said remains of a third dog found on property formerly belonging to Peabody, did not belong to Dale. Those remains, the agency added, possibly belonged to Inka's grandmother, a Belgian Malinois owned by Peabody.

Dale's remains have not been recovered by authorities. Peabody worked with the Cherokee County School Police Department from 2000 to June 16 when he voluntarily resigned from the post.

Last month, a Cherokee County Superior Court judge granted a motion by Peabody's attorney to allow the defendant to reside with, possess and come in contact with animals of any kind.

However, Peabody is barred from transporting dogs, taking part in any end-of-life decisions regarding any domestic animal and possessing a firearm or occupying a home or vehicle containing a firearm, the order issued by Cherokee County Superior Court Judge Jackson Harris notes.

See also:

• School Police K9 Found Dead In Patrol Vehicle
• Patrol Car Where K9 Died Was Not Properly Equipped: Police
• Deceased Dog's Remains Are Not Former Police K-9
• Former Officer Blasts "Baseless" Animal Cruelty Charge
• Former Officer Charged in Death of Police Dog
• Cop Whose K-9 Died in Patrol Car Granted Contact With Animals
• Cop Whose K9 Died In Cruiser Resigns

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Image via Cherokee Sheriff's Office