PETA Appeals to LVMPD to Honor Stabbed K-9 by Retiring Him to a Loving Home, Bring On a Robotic Dog

For Immediate Release:
April 10, 2024

Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382

Hearing that a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) K-9 named Enzo was stabbed multiple times in the line of duty and that caring officers rushed him to a veterinary hospital, PETA sent a letter today to Sheriff Kevin McMahill thanking officers for their quick action in Enzo’s behalf and urging him to honor the dog’s service by granting him full retirement in a loving home.

The use of K-9s has come under increased scrutiny after a series of violent incidents. A K-9 named Rivan was stabbed and kicked to death at a prison in Virginia last week, at least eight dogs died en route to a training facility in Indiana last summer, and a K-9 handler was caught on video choking, punching, and slamming a dog to the ground in North Carolina in 2021. PETA is encouraging the LVMPD and other law-enforcement agencies to replace K-9s with state-of-the-art methods of investigation and enforcement, including robotic dogs, drones, and sophisticated surveillance and forensics.

“Human officers willingly take on the daily risks of their duties, but K-9s like Enzo have no say in whether they’re subjected to stressful or even life-or-death situations,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “Enzo suffered through and survived a horrific attack, and PETA is urging Sheriff McMahill to now let him enjoy the peaceful retirement he deserves.”

PETA is sending dog toys and delicious vegan treats to Enzo for him to enjoy while he recovers.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to McMahill follows.

April 10, 2024

The Honorable Kevin McMahill
Sheriff of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

Dear Sheriff McMahill:

I hope this message finds you well. I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals—PETA entities have more than 9 million members and supporters globally, including many thousands across Nevada—to extend our heartfelt good wishes to Enzo as he recovers from being stabbed in the line of duty on March 29 and to ask that you please allow him to retire now and consider employing state-of-the-art methods of enforcement and investigation for the force instead of dogs, such as robotic dogs, drones, and sophisticated surveillance and forensics.

We commend the swift action officers and first responders took to save Enzo’s life. As you know, human officers sign up for the unfortunate daily risks they face whereas Enzo and other K-9s don’t have any say about whether they’re subjected to life-and-death situations. Thankfully, this brave dog survived, but six other K-9s have already lost their lives this year.

PETA works with and supports police departments all over the nation, often collaborating to investigate, charge, and prosecute animal abusers. We hope you will agree that Enzo has been through enough and will prioritize his health and safety by letting him enjoy a peaceful retirement with a loving family so that he’ll no longer be subject to the dangers of police work. We thank you for your service and diligence, and we’ll be sending Enzo some toys and delicious vegan dog treats to enjoy. Thank you for your consideration.

Very truly yours,

Ingrid Newkirk

President