Charges sought against officer in death of Parsons K-9

PARSONS, Kan. (KSNF) — Parsons police and the Labette County Sheriff’s Office are jointly seeking charges of animal cruelty against the officer in charge of K-9 Karim.

Karim died back in August, and officials say the extreme temperature on the day he died was the sole contributing factor to his death.

In a joint statement issued by the two departments, officials say they have filed the paperwork with the Labette County Prosecutor’s office asking for a misdemeanor charge against Karim’s handler.

Services for Karim are still pending, but Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks says their current focus “is on concluding the investigation comprehensively.”

The officer, who is Karim’s handler, is now on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.