Cop Acquitted After K9 Attack On Barnegat Woman: Reports

TUCKERTON, N.J. — A police officer was acquitted of misconduct charges after releasing his police dog on a stopped motorist from Barnegat, according to reports.

A judge found the state had not proved Tuckerton officer Justin Cherry committed an unauthorized attack with the intent to injure her, according to the Associated Press. Cherry released the K9 on a 57-year-old Barnegat woman in 2014, the Asbury Park Press reports.

Superior Court Judge Rochelle Gizinski said it was clear that Wendy Tucker — a Barnegat woman driving without a license — was resisting arrest, according to the Asbury Park Press. The judge said two Barnegat police officers were trying to take her into custody when Cherry came to the scene and released the dog on her, the Asbury Park Press reports.

The woman testified she was injured when officers pulled her from her car, the AP reports. She has a pending lawsuit against Barnegat and Tuckerton police, including Cherry, according to the AP.

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