A Pennsylvania man was found guilty Monday of fatally stabbing a police dog during an arrest attempt nearly 12 months ago.
Allegheny County prosecutors said John Lewis Rush killed Officer Rocco, an 8-year-old German shepherd, and attacked four cops as they tried to arrest him for a parole violation on Jan. 28, the Associated Press reported. At the time Rush was also being sought for failing to register as a sex offender.
The 22-year-old Stowe Township resident was convicted of torturing or harming a police animal and at least 10 other charges, including four counts of aggravated assault on the dog's handler and three other cops. He was also accused of burglarizing a building but was acquitted of that charge.
According to a criminal complaint, Officer Phil Lerza, Rocco's handler, ordered Rush to answer police or face the dog. Rush, who was hiding in a home's basement, "lunged out from near a pillar and attacked K-9 Rocco" with a 6-inch blade, the complaint said. Lerza was also stabbed in the shoulder during the altercation with Rush and the other cops, prosecutors said according to the AP.
Rocco suffered a stab wound to the back which damaged his muscles, spine, and kidney. He lived through surgery but died from pneumonia two days later.
Aaron Sontz said law enforcement's version of the incident was "impossible." Rush admitted to stabbing the dog in court but said it was in self-defense and that he did not mean to kill the K-9, the AP reported.
Rush would have received 7 years for the dog charge. But a state bill passed in July, inspired by Rocco's death, increased the penalty for harming or torturing a police animal to up to 10 years.
Rush's sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
