Police Officer Accused Of Animal Abuse

A police sergeant was stripped of his gun and badge after being implicated in the death of Fred the beagle, a department mascot who apparently forgot his manners in the stationhouse.

Sgt. Hector Collazo, 36, was put on desk duty while the department considers disciplinary action for animal abuse, spokesman Lt. Ray Ferrari said Friday. Another officer, Gil Ilefonso, 30, remains under investigation, Ferrari said.

Fred became a fixture at a station in the Wall Street area after officers found him wandering around the Staten Island ferry terminal in July. He sat in a chair near the front door. On Dec. 10, Fred vanished.

After finding Fred’s droppings in the station weight room, officers allegedly beat him, dumped him in the trunk of a patrol car and took him to an animal shelter as a stray. The shelter put Fred to death three days later.

The department said animal shelter staffers identified Collazo as the person who left the dog.