Authorities in Mississippi are intent on identifying the heartless gunman who shot and killed a K-9 officer last week.
Floki, a 7-year-old multipurpose Dutch Shepherd trained for tracking and drug detection, was on the job Wednesday, April 1, patrolling the border fence around Marshall County Correctional Facility in Holly Springs when he was struck with a bullet.
The shooting is believed to have happened at around 7:45 p.m.
The dog’s body was found on the morning of Thursday, April 2, when K-9 Commander Josh Russell “went to bring the dog in for water and food,” reads a statement from the Mississippi Department of Corrections. “He was patrolling along a secured strip of land between two perimeter fences when he was killed.”
Floki was assigned to the Marshall County Correctional Facility and was tasked with helping keep contraband from being smuggled into the prison.
Georgia Police Identify Suspect In ‘Sickening’ Animal Cruelty Case
Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner Burl Cain said in a statement on April 2 he is “personally offering” a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the dog’s killing.
Cain said that killing or injuring a “public service animal” is a felony in Mississippi, and that those convicted face up to a $5,000 fine, five years in prison or both.
“It’s a shame to kill a defenseless dog who was doing his job to help us keep contraband out of the prison,” Cain said in the statement. “It’s just a shame to kill our dog.”
It was not immediately known if Floki had a handler and where his handler was at the time of the shooting.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, the Holly Springs Police Department and the facility’s Corrections Investigation Division are all investigating the incident and ask that anyone who may have information pertinent to the case contact Marshall County Correctional Facility Superintendent Frank Caswell or the prison’s Corrections Investigation Division at (662) 252-7111.
On Facebook, locals reacted with outrage, but also had questions.
Pet Salon Owner Fatally Shot in Head at Her Illinois Home, Says Police
“This is heartbreaking,” wrote one woman. “That K-9 was doing exactly what he was trained to do.”
“There has to be a little more to the story,” wrote another. “Where’s the handler? Was it long distance or close range (like a hunter or a fellow officer?) I hope you get it figured out and justice is served for this good boy.
Others said that the charge doesn’t fit the crime.
Floki, argued one Facebook user, was killed “while on duty,” and was therefore “considered an officer, not a service animal. The investigation should be treated as such.”
