Judges tosses felony charge for cop in K-9 death

MIAMI (AP) -- A judge has tossed out a felony charge against a former Miami-Dade County police officer on trial for the death of his K-9, but allowed a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge to go forward.

Prosecutors argued in court Thursday that Duke died in June 2006 from a disruption to the heart caused by a series of vicious kicks from police Sgt. Allen Cockfield during a training session. The defense argued for an acquittal on the felony charge, saying the state didn't prove that Cockfield intended to kill the dog. Cockfield's attorney says the dog was an aggressive 70-pound canine who attacked his client.

The trial continues Friday.

Cockfield spent more than two decades as a canine handler with the department. He was fired after a yearlong investigation.

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