– An Oakland Raiders linebacker is being investigated to determine whether he illegally taunted a police dog before a game in Pittsburgh against the Steelers. Armstrong had lifted his shirt and begun pounding his chest, barking at an Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department bomb-sniffing dog, according to Chief Deputy Kevin Kraus.
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According to WTAE, Sheriff’s deputy Maria Watts was the dog’s handler.
Armstrong could be charged with taunting a police animal, which is a third degree felony in Pennsylvania. Police have obtained video surveillance footage of the incident and witness statement, but they weren’t able to interview Armstrong before he left town.
One Linebacker could be considered a throwback to the days of Alzado and Matuszak, Ray Ray Armstrong is the subject of a Police investigation in Pennsylvania following Sunday’s Raiders Steelers game.
No doubt Bandit could have dealt with a few of this – but it kept going on, to the extent of absolutely being agitated by the players. I imagine with his training and experience he would have gone to his target who was taunting him.
“We consider the evidence and a review of the information to determine probable cause and other factors”, he said. When asked what he could have done, Watts said, “I don’t even want to go there”.
“Legally, he could have been arrested on the spot, ” Kraus said.
Neither the Steelers nor Raiders immediately responded to requests for comment, though Oakland coach Jack Del Rio was dismissive of the allegations during a radio appearance on Tuesday. “I wouldn’t make too much of it”.
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The sheriff’s office has met with the district attorney’s office, but hasn’t decided whether to pursue criminal charges.
