Court wants to reinstate officer who kicked K9 partner

North Carolina - A police officer who lost his job after he was seen kicking his canine partner, Ricoh, several times, may get his job back, including 5 years worth of back pay.

According to WITN News, North Carolina's second highest court believes that Charles Jones, who was fired in 2007, should be reinstated to his position.

The 2007 kicking incident involved Jones hoisting his Belgian Malinois partner, Ricoh, off of the ground and repeatedly kicking him in what he claims was an effort to get him to release his training tool - a piece of fire hose.

Jones has argued that kicking Ricoh was merely a training technique.

Which begs the question - is there a double standard for officers of the law?

Is abusive behavior acceptable if it is called "training"?

If a police officer happened upon a man who had hoisted his dog off of the ground and repeatedly kicked him, would they be arrested on cruelty charges? More than likely - yes.

If this officer is reinstated (with back pay no less) by court authority, will this set a precedent for animal abusers?

If the arrested individual then utilizes a lawyer, will they be able to argue that their actions were nothing more than "training"?

Does a working canine feel less than a companion dog? (obviously - no) 

Should a working canine have a different set of rules that apply? Is it ever okay to repeatedly kick a dog?

Charles Jones' actions were disturbing enough at the time that a fellow trooper taped what happened. (Warning, the footage is disturbing)

The incident was such that he lost his job by the order of the governor who was in office at the time.

Weigh in - should law enforcement be held to a different standard when it comes to treating a dog humanely?

Read more, including the trooper court ruling, here.

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