BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A deputy with the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office was arrested Friday on charges that include animal cruelty following the death of a working dog.
News outlets reported that Robert Fain, 28, of Haughton was booked in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Officials said Fain was a deputy with the state agency working around Shreveport, and an investigation began in October following the death of his working animal, Maily.
A report found the dog died of neglectful malnourishment. Fain resigned after his arrest, authorities said, and it was unclear whether he had an attorney to speak on his behalf.
A review began before the dog died, and a statement said an investigation showed Fain claimed fraudulent hours and expenses related to working with the dog. Fain faces charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, malfeasance in office, theft, payroll fraud and injuring public records.
“As a dog owner and former K-9 handler myself, these findings make me sick,” State Fire Marshal Butch Browning said in a statement.
Browning’s office said it was reviewing its program for working dogs, which assist in investigations.
