DEPUTY WHO RELEASED DOG THAT ATTACKED OFFICER GETS AXED

I’m not sure what the reasoning behind this decision was, but the Greenville County Sheriff’s Department has fired the deputy who released a police dog that attacked a fellow officer during an arrest last month. By all accounts, the incident was an accident that came during a pursuit of a man suspected of shooting a store clerk.

Unfortunately, the dog was killed and now the sheriff is being mum on the reasoning behind letting the deputy go.

Sheriff’s Lt. Shea Smith refused to tell The Greenville News why John Bennick was fired last week except to say it was related to the incident where his police dog was killed by the officer the animal attacked June 23.

Deputy Chris McAlmont said he shot the dog because it bit him in the ankle and in the dark he did not know it was a police dog. The dog was killed. Sheriff Steve Loftis is still reviewing the incident.

The fact that they’re refusing to offer a reason for the firing instantly raises suspicions. I can’t say whether it was for some BS internal political reason, but if they’re anything like the City of Columbia Police Department, it’s certainly possible — nay, probable.

I say that because The Palmetto Scoop has learned information about the administration of police as well as the judicial system in the capital city that would make residents cringe.

Those stories will come in the following weeks when my Freedom of Information requests are completed. But let’s just say it has the potential to spiral completely out of control. Of course, if you live in Columbia, you probably already knew that.