Brookville, In. — A former reserve Laurel police officer is facing multiple charges and is accused of mistreating and starving his canine partner, Blade.
Court documents state two Laurel police officers told investigators Clint Ellis did not properly care for Blade and they had seen the canine officer wallowing in his own waste, in a cage. Witnesses also told investigators the dog about 30 pounds between October and December of 2017. Ellis was the primary caregiver for Blade from August of 2017 until his death on New Year’s Day 2018.
On New Year’s Day witnesses told police they saw Blade, dead in a dirty cage. Ellis allegedly told the witnesses he was going to contact a veterinarian later. Days later, Ellis told investigators he was unable to contact the vet before the canine officer passed away and was unable to bury the body because the ground was frozen. The canine officer’s body was released for an autopsy on January 26.
The autopsy showed the dog died from intestinal foreign bodies and whole body emaciation.
Ellis has been charged with interfering with law enforcement and cruelty to animals in this case. He also faces charges of harassment of hunters, two counts of theft and official misconduct.
