K9 Deputy at Hart County Jail charged with animal cruelty, K9 recovering well
MUMFORDSVILLE, Ky. – A Hart County Jail deputy is charged with second degree cruelty to animals after officials say his K9 got sick and was not cared for properly.
According to officials with the Hart County Jail, the K9 deputy, James Kersey, informed the jailer that Ragnar was not eating well and was taken to the vet to be treated for worms back in August.
But, the dog continued losing weight and nothing more was done, according to the jailer.
WNKY attempted to contact Kersey’s attorney but the call was not returned.
The K9 was not working at the time because of COVID, so the jailer did not see the condition the dog was in.
Then the almost five-year-old German Shepherd was taken to a trainer in September who informed Jailer Isreal Bergenson the dog was just over 50 pounds.
“James just messed up by not making me aware of what kind of condition he [Ragnar] was in. I just, I put too much trust in one of my deputies and they just let me down,” said Bergenson.
Local veterinarians described the dog as emaciated.
“Everybody messes up, but this is kind of an unusual situation, you know. This shouldn’t have never happened, you know,” said Bergenson.
Ragnar was rehabilitated and is doing great now, weighing it at around 100 pounds.
He lives with the jailer and has already formed a great bond with Bergenson.
“If I keep him here at Hart County Jail, I am probably going to be his regular handler that way I can make sure that this never ever happens to him again, that’s the reason. I am responsible for him. I got to do everything I can do to make sure it don’t happen again, well, it’s not going to happen again,” said Bergenson.
Bergenson says he may soon be attending K9 training alongside Ragnar to become a certified handler.
“I am responsible for him and I’m sorry that it happened. I can’t change the past. All I can make sure is I am watching out for the future and it’s never going to happen again,” said Bergenson.
According to Bergenson, Ragnar is a happy boy who loves to swim in the lake and is a terrible fishing partner because he scares away all the fish when he jumps in.
The deputy jailer’s next pretrial conference is on May 3rd in Judge Derek Reed’s courtroom.
The investigation is being led by the Kentucky State Police.
