Trial set for officer in lawsuit against Arpaio
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Image by Journal Broadcast Group
Web Producer: Laura Kittell
PHOENIX (AP) - A federal judge has set an April 17 trial in a lawsuit by a Chandler police officer who accuses Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio of violating his rights by arresting the officer in the death of his police dog.
Sgt. Tom Lovejoy was charged with misdemeanor animal abuse in the August 2007 death of his police dog, a Belgian Malinois named Bandit.
The dog died from excessive heat after the officer left the animal in a hot police vehicle for several hours.
Lovejoy was acquitted of the charge and alleges that Arpaio, in arresting the officer, wanted publicity to show he was tough on animal abusers.
Arpaio argues that Lovejoy lacks evidence connecting the sheriff to Lovejoy's arrest and, in any event, that various legal doctrines shield Arpaio.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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