A deputy with the State Fire Marshal's Office has been arrested following an investigation into the October death of his department-issued K-9
The State Fire Marshal's Office say that Robert Fain, a corporal in the Shreveport area, was arrested on one count each of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals and Malfeasance in Office, six counts of 1st Degree Injuring Public Records, and four counts each of Theft and Payroll Fraud.
Fain resigned his position with the agency upon his arrest, according to the department.
An investigation into Fain reportedly began in October following the death of his department-issued K-9 officer, Maily.
Maily, a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd, died on October 12 from what was referred to by the department as a lengthy illness.
SFM officials say the necropsy of the dog, conducted per agency protocol, revealed neglectful malnourishment as the cause of Maily’s death, as opposed to the lengthy illness that Fain allegedly claimed.
Deputies say that a subsequent review of Fain’s K-9 activity showed he claimed fraudulent hours and expenses related to working with the dog.
According to the department, a separate investigation was already underway into Fain at the time of Maily’s death.
After a regular review of his fire investigation case files, deputies learned that Fain had allegedly taken steps to cover up incomplete investigative work on one of his fire cases which included fabricating reports involving K-9 Maily.
The SFM says that they are taking steps to review their K-9 program in the wake of K-9 Maily's death.
State Fire Marshal Butch Browning released a statement on Fain's arrest.
“As a dog owner and former K-9 handler myself, these findings make me sick. We consider all of our K-9 officers part of our law enforcement family and treatment of these animals as anything less is unacceptable. Outright neglect and abuse like this will not be tolerated or excused. These actions alleged against Robert Fain are the actions of one individual and are not reflective of the dedication our handlers have to their K-9 partners nor of our agency’s commitment to public safety and abating arson.”
