ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – A man accused of killing a St. Johns County Sheriff's Office K-9 last month pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Tuesday.
Brandon Allison, 27, is charged with causing the death of a police animal and sale of cocaine.
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K-9 Baron was pursuing Allison after he was identified as a suspect in a disturbance at a home on Oct. 7 and deputies learned he had an outstanding warrant for selling cocaine.
Deputies said Baron and his handler, Deputy Farrah Ashe, tracked Allison to a fence. Ashe helped Baron over the fence and the dog continued the pursuit.
When Ashe got over the fence, she heard Baron engaging with Allison, deputies said. By the time she made it to the swampy area, she found Baron dead in a mud puddle.
Baron's marked SJSO harness had been removed and was found nearby, deputies said.
A veterinarian determined that Baron died of asphyxia and showed signs of blunt-force trauma.
Allison is being held in the St. Johns County jail on $150,000 bond.
His next pretrial hearing is scheduled for Jan. 8.