1 week Ago
According to records obtained by Charleston CBS affiliate Live 5 News, a Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office K-9 handler has been placed on desk duty following allegations of neglect in the care of his K-9 partner. As first reported by Live 5 News, Master Deputy Brandon Michael Edwards was demoted to deputy and removed from the K-9 department after allegedly leaving his K-9 partner unattended in a department-issued vehicle without proper temperature controls. This negligence led to the death of the 5-year-old K-9 officer in late July.
The sheriff's office initially announced an investigation into the unexpected death, which occurred while the dog was in Edwards’ vehicle. Neither the K-9 nor the handler's name was released. The investigation has since been transferred to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), with spokesperson Renee Wunderlich confirming to Live 5 News that Edwards is the focus of an “active and ongoing” inquiry.
As a result of the incident, Edwards received a pay cut and has been assigned to administrative duties. The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA) was notified of his re-assignment on Sept. 12, pending the outcome of the SLED investigation.
According to Live 5 News, the station’s Freedom of Information Act request for Edwards’ personnel file was denied by the sheriff's office, citing the ongoing investigation. Live 5 reports Edwards has served as a full-time deputy since June 2015, earning his first K-9 certification in 2017. No criminal charges have been filed.
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