Lou Raguse

KARE-TV, Minneapolis

CARLTON, Minn. - The Ramsey County deputy caught on camera repeatedly hitting his K9 partner Boone plead guilty Tuesday to animal cruelty.

In June, Deputy Brett Berry was charged with animal cruelty and assaulting a public safety dog. Berry was caught on camera drunkenly dragging the dog across a casino parking lot and striking the animal several times.

Berry, 48, of Arden Hills, was placed on administrative leave after the incident, which occurred on June 15 at Black Bear Casino and Resort, where he was staying with other sheriff's deputies for K9 certification trials.

Black Bear security staff told Carlton County deputies that customers at the casino lounge reported some "unwanted advances" committed by Berry. When confronted about it, the security guards asked him to leave the lounge, and they say he made obscene gestures to them while walking back to his room at the hotel.

That's when casino video surveillance captured Berry dragging Boone across the parking lot. The dog escaped and ran to an entrance. Berry then wound up and struck the dog several times.

In court on Tuesday, Berry admitted he was "blackout drunk" when he hit his K9 that night.

"But he got very intoxicated and he struck his dog in a way that is inexcusable. He said that in court. And that has been his position all along," said Berry's attorney Kevin Short.

Security was called around 3 a.m. after surveillance video captured Berry beating the dog. During the investigation, Berry's K9 was removed from his care. No injuries were found on the dog.

Boone, who had been with Berry for four years, is back at work with a new handler.

"He has already received an extreme consequence. His dog was removed from him the minute this came to light. That’s an extreme emotional consequence. It’s also a significant financial consequence for a person who is a K9 officer," Short said.

A half-dozen animal activists attended the hearing and say they are more satisfied than they've been in other animal abuse cases.

"We got a little more justice in this one, it seems," said Jan Stern of Duluth. "I understand that he knows that he did wrong. And if he was that intoxicated, maybe it’s time he receive treatment."

"He's being held somewhat accountable," said Diane Parkhurst of Cloquet.

With his guilty plea, the assault charge will be dropped. He will continue to work as a deputy with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office but will be reassigned. His new role did include a pay cut.

Berry faces up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

The judge deferred whether to accept the plea deal until the Feb. 17 sentencing date, but didn't make any indications that she won't accept it at that time.