Maricopa County Sherrif Joe Arpaio and actor Steven Seagal deny accusations by a Phoenix man that a family puppy was killed during a raid for Seagal’s reality TV show.
The sheriff’s office said in a news release the allegation is without merit. For good measure, Seagal added he’s outraged.
The action movie actor was participating in the raid as a special deputy sheriff for his show “Steven Seagal Lawman” (Lord, help us). Seagal and numerous deputies and posse members were present March 9 during a raid at the home of Jesus Llovera, suspected of cockfighting.
In the claim, Llovera says an 11-month-old puppy was killed along with 100 roosters.
Arpaio said there’s no evidence to back up the claim that his officers killed a dog.
“If my deputies, or posse man Seagal for that matter, had done something so awful like shooting a family dog, then where are the photos to prove it?” Arpaio harrumphed.
“My client never accused Seagal of having anything to do with the death of his puppy,” Llover’s attorney retorted. “He just wanted an apology from Seagal for his role in the destruction of my client’s home, property and animals.”
In Llovera’s claim, the sheriff’s office and Seagal are accused of setting off explosives to create a distraction and confusion. Seagal allegedly arrived on the scene in a tank.
The Associated Press contrinuted to this report.
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