The case against former Sheriff's Deputy Jerrod Dooley has been dismissed after he apologized for shooting a dog, and gave up his license to be a peace officer in district court Thursday.
Dooley was responding to a burglary call at the home of Cole Middleton on April 18 when he shot Candy, who was waiting in Middleton's truck outside the house. Soon he was charged with animal cruelty.
Dooley said he felt threatened by the dog. However, a necropsy report later showed that Candy had been shot from behind, indicating that she was not moving toward him at the time the shot was fired.
Middleton said he was forced to drown Candy to end her suffering after Dooley refused to fire another shot to do it quickly.
Dooley was fired a few days after the incident. Later a report from the Rains County Sheriff's department indicated that Dooley had hot at least one dog prior to Candy during his short career as a deputy.
In court Thursday, Dooley read a prepared statement outlining the two times he shot a dog. He then explained that he had been bitten by a dog prior to being employee by Rains County.
"I now recognize my previous history has left me with an abnormal fear of another dog bite," Dooley said. "I apologize to Mr. Middleton.""If he's truly sorry then that's a step. It's a big step. And frankly I'm obliged to offer him forgiveness," Middleton said afterward.
Dooley said under oath that he had voluntarily and permanently surrendered his law enforcement licenses to the state.
"Jerrod felt like he was done with law enforcement," Dooley's attorney Pete Schulte said. "He didn't feel like he was treated fairly."
The prosecutor filed for dismissal of the charges against Dooley. That dismissal was granted immediately.
Following the hearing, an unidentified man rammed Dooley with his shoulder while walking through the courthouse. He later attacked Dooley outside. DPS troopers on the scene said no charges were filed, but statements were taken.
In the aftermath of the situation, Middleton gained international notoriety and a sizable Facebook following for his efforts to pass Candy's Law. The bill he's proposing would require most certified peace officers in the State of Texas to undergo non-lethal canine interaction training.
"If these guys have a fear, they need training," Middleton said. "If they have a fear they can't overcome, they don't need to be a police officer. Because they're going to encounter dogs."
That bill is in the development process in advance of the next legislative session.
