Department Clears Officer Accused of Abusing Police Dog

A suburban Phoenix police department has cleared an officer accused of abusing a police dog, reports the Associated Press .

An internal investigation found the officer was in compliance with Peoria (Ariz.) Police Department policy and state law when he took "measured steps to regain the canine's focus," the department said Thursday in a statement.

"His actions ... were corrective in nature and were not intended to nor did they hurt the canine," the department said.

A widely viewed video shot from across the street during the Aug. 29 incident showed the dog, its handler and three other officers outside a home.

As the dog sits outside the front door, the handler snaps its leash and then appears to whip the animal with it. The handler then briefly lifts his right leg.

There was no indication that the dog was hurt or was in any distress, the department said.