VIDEO: Officer Slamming K-9 Partner Into Car Prompts Resignation, Outrage

A police officer in North Carolina has resigned after video emerged of him grabbing his K-9 partner by the neck and slamming him against his patrol car. Outrage over James Hampton’s actions has grown since the evidence emerged on March 2, culminating in a recommendation of termination.

The video of the incident can be seen here:

In a press conference with Zuul, the dog, Salisbury Police Chief Jerry Stokes was careful to note that maintaining strict training is of utmost importance to ensure that use of the K-9 units is safe and legal.

"It is important to understand that a police canine is trained to use force against criminal suspects and a handler must ensure they have complete control over the dog at all times so that any use of the canine in the field is appropriate and lawful," Stokes said. "When a canine is noncompliant with the handler’s commands, the handler is trained to correct the dog. Canine training tactics and corrective measures can sometimes be alarming out of context."

Nevertheless, it would seem that hoisting a dog by the neck and slinging them over one’s shoulder isn’t standard procedure. A March 2 statement that Zuul had been “administratively separated” from Hampton was followed two days later by “a checkup” that gave him a “clean bill of health.”

Documents from the exam noted Zuul had "had an incident that involved his neck in October of 2020" but "is doing well" and "is not having any clinical signs at this time." Investigation found no skeletal or nerve damage.

Pressure from the public and animal rights groups, including PETA, was exacerbated by Hampton’s recorded comment of “we're good, no witnesses” and the discussion of turning off cameras.

ABC News reports the department finally concluded its investigation Wednesday, finding that Hampton "had acted in a manner entirely inconsistent with his K-9 training and had violated Police Department policy."

“As a result, he was recommended for termination," the agency said in a statement. "The Police Department followed its disciplinary process, which requires that an employee subject to termination be afforded a due process hearing. Following that hearing, and prior to the Police Department formalizing any disciplinary action, Officer Hampton tendered his resignation, effective immediately.”