UPDATE: SLPD says Officer Who Handled Police Dog That Killed Pet Didn't Follow Proper Procedures

The police officer who boarded and handled a police dog that, while off duty, killed another dog, did not properly control or supervise the dog, the said Friday.

The dog’s handler, officer Kevin Hackl, has taken responsibility for the incident, police spokesman Lt. Jeff Tudor said. Tudor declined to release any other information about the case, including whether any disciplinary measures were taken, citing confidentiality since it is a personnel investigation.

Tudor said the police dog, Arago, is still working.

Adam Lovell, who owned the dog attacked by Arago, told Patch Friday that the police department's announcement wasn't news to him. He said Hackl had taken responsibility for the incident from the beginning. 

“Him taking responsibility isn’t saying that they’re going to take action against him either,” Lovell added.  

Lovell said he thought the officer "shouldn't be allowed to have a dog."

"Where was he when all this happened? He hasn’t shown responsibility at all,” Lovell said.

Arago, a German shepherd, attacked Lovell's dog, a Finnish spitz named Chloe, while both dogs were being walked on a trail near Brentwood the day after Christmas, 2010. Lovell was walking his dog, while members of Hackl's family, the officer assigned to Arago, were walking the German shepherd.

Police dogs are assigned to specific officers, who generally board the dogs at their homes.

The attack occurred when Arago broke free of his walkers, Hackl's wife and mother-in-law, and locked his jaw onto the smaller dog's hind side, according to Lovell.

One of the women yelled, "I can't control him," Lovell said at the time.

Lovell took his dog to an emergency veterinarian, who stitched up the wounds and sent her home the following day. The next day, however, Chloe died. The vet told Lovell the dog died from trauma, Lovell said. 

Lovell said the police directed him to fill out some forms requesting compensation for his loss as a result of the attack. "I do expect compensation of some sort," he said.

Lovell said he was considering legal action against the officer and the City of San Leandro, including the police department, but would wait to see how they handle his request for compensation.

"I’ll go after everyone I can if they don’t work with me here," he said.