Kemberle Braden

Release: IMMEDIATE         

Update to K-9 Incident

(Fayetteville, NC) – This release is to serve as an update to the incident that occurred on June 23, 2024, where a video was released to social media of a Fayetteville Police K9 handler striking his dog during a call for service.  

Based on this incident, the Fayetteville Police Department has received numerous complaints and comments expressing concerns about the incident, the involved K9 and K9 Handler. These complaints and comments have been heard and documented. The Fayetteville Police Department has refrained from any public comment other than the statement that an internal investigation was underway to avoid any forgone conclusions as to the facts of the case. While we appreciate the concern of the public and organizations concerned for the welfare of animals, this incident has been handled with the consideration of Due Process and rights afforded to those involved as prescribed by departmental policy and the law. The internal investigation has been completed and the Fayetteville Police Department is prepared to release the following FACTS of the incident. 

INCIDENT: 

• The involved K9 Handler has received medical treatment for his injuries sustained during this incident. 
• The involved K9 was seen by a veterinarian post incident and has no documented injuries.  

The video released to social media does not depict the entirety of the incident.

• The K9 Team (Handler & K9) were requested to conduct an external “sniff” of a motor vehicle that had been legally stopped. 
• The K9 Handler deployed his K9 and articulated a positive alert on the passenger side of the vehicle.  
• K9 handler deployed his K9 on the driver side of the vehicle at which time the K9 jumped onto the driver’s side door and the handler gave corrective commands.   
• K9 came off the violator’s vehicle, circled behind the Handler and bit him in the thigh.  
• K9 refused to release the bite as the handler gave verbal commands and attempted to correct the K9 behavior through collar manipulation.  
• K9 Handler while being bitten, had to step over and around the K9 to gain a position of control while attempting to stop the aggression.  
• After 10-12 seconds of being bitten the Handler strikes the K9 with his fist a total of seven times.  
• K9 releases the bite after the seventh strike and no further strikes were delivered. 
• K9 Handler maintains control of the K9 by the collar elevating it off the ground and away from his body. 
• K9 attempts to bite the Handler again at which time he clamps his hand over the K9’s muzzle. 
• K9 is placed into its kennel, given command to sit at which time the K9 complies and the incident is over. 
• There is an independent witness not associated with the Fayetteville Police Department who provided a statement. 
• Officer who requested the K9 team provided a statement. 

• Involved handler provided statement. 
• Three law enforcement recordings of the incident were generated (2 body worn cameras, 1 in-car camera) each providing a different perspective of the incident. 
• Incident was reviewed by our internal “Master Handler” and the chain of command. 
• K9 Team (Handler & K9) training records were reviewed. 
• The incident was reviewed by three independent external “Master Handlers” from agencies across our state. 
• Incident was reviewed by the International Police Working Dog Association (IPWDA).   
• The incident has been reviewed by legal counsel. 

Specifics of any internal investigation are protected by personnel statutes G.S. 160A-168.  

Law enforcement recordings and their release are subject to G.S. 132-1.4A. 

There is no further information to update the public on as it pertains to this incident.