
Police Dog Harmed by Fleeing Robber Has Day in Court
The Georgia Court of Appeals reviewed the case of Devante Bynes, who was convicted in Chatham Superior Court of armed robbery and harming a police dog. Mr. Bynes argued on appeal that the prosecution failed to prove he knew the dog was a law enforcement animal and that his actions were in self-defense after being bitten.
The Court of Appeals upheld the armed robbery conviction, noting that Mr. Bynes fled from police, hid in a crawlspace, and choked the K-9 officer into unconsciousness while resisting arrest. However, the Court also determined that the trial court erred in sentencing, having imposed a punishment that exceeded statutory limits.