TORONTO – A man convicted of fatally stabbing a Pittsburgh police dog could spend the next four decades behind bars.
A Pennsylvania judge sentenced 22-year-old John Rush to between 17 years, 9 months and 44 years in prison for killing Rocco, an 8-year-old German Shepherd and multi-year veteran of the Pittsburgh PD.
The conviction stems from a January 2014 incident involving Rush and several police officers, when police attempted to arrest him for probation violations, and for failing to register as a sex offender.
Rush previously served a year in the Allegheny County Jail for statutory sexual assault.
According to reports, Rush fatally stabbed Rocco in the back with a knife, and wounded three other arresting officers before being subdued.
Rush was found guilty of torturing a police animal, aggravated assault of the dog’s handler, who was also stabbed in a shoulder, and other offences.
The tragic killing shocked many in the city and led to the introduction of “Rocco’s Law”, new legislation aimed at more severely punishing anyone who hurts or kills a police animal.
“We want to protect those who protect us,” Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett said when the bill was signed into law last July.
“Rocco gave his life for his community, and this legislation ensures those who do harm to law enforcement animals will receive the punishment they deserve.”
Rocco also received the honour of being inducted into the Amen Corner law enforcement hall of fame, the first such K-9 officer to ever be so honoured.
The hardest part of the trial may have been when Rocco’s handler, officer Phil Lerza, took the stand.
“I lost my partner and family member,” Lurza said according to WPXI News in Pittsburgh.
Rush maintains he stabbed the police dog in self-defence. He will now have a 10 day window to appeal his sentencing.
Comments