K-9s Attacked in Volusia County Prompt PETA Call to Retire Dogs, Switch to Robotics

For Immediate Release:
November 2, 2026

Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382

Following reports that a K-9 named Beny was struck and bitten by a suspect during a pursuit at Canaveral National Seashore last week—and that K-9 Gator was punched multiple times during a separate pursuit in May—PETA sent a letter today to Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood, calling on him to retire both dogs and phase out the use of dogs altogether. In the letter, PETA encourages the department to replace K‑9s with state-of-the-art policing technology, such as tactical robots, drones, and portable mass spectrometers. Law enforcement departments across the country are increasingly using tactical robots, which can be deployed in situations that could otherwise result in serious injury or death for K-9s and human officers.

According to reports, a suspect hiding in thick vegetation near the Apollo Beach boat ramp struck and bit Beny on the neck and ear as deputies took him into custody. Beny survived the attack. In May, another suspect punched Gator multiple times before deputies handcuffed him. Gator also survived.

“When police departments send dogs into dangerous situations, they put living, feeling beings at risk of being beaten, injured, or killed, and those who survive can be left with lasting pain and trauma,” says PETA Vice President Daniel Paden. “Deputies choose to take on the risks of their duties, but K-9s like Beny and Gator have no choice, and PETA is urging the Volusia Sheriff’s Office to immediately retire both dogs and replace its K-9 program with modern policing technology.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to Chitwood follows.

November 2, 2026

The Honorable Michael Chitwood

Sheriff of Volusia County

Via e-mail

Dear Sheriff Chitwood:

I hope this message finds you well. I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) regarding K-9 Beny, who was struck and bitten during a suspect pursuit last week, and K-9 Gator, who was punched multiple times during an unrelated suspect pursuit earlier this year. Would you please retire Beny and Gator into safe and loving homes, and consider this an opportunity to reassess the use of dogs?

Beny and Gator survived these assaults, but they might not survive the next one. In September, K-9 Kylo of Portland, Oregon, was reportedly shot and killed during a suspect pursuit. In May, K-9 Knight of Chesterfield County, Virginia, reportedly died from injuries sustained when a suspect opened fire on him and officers responding to a domestic violence call. Earlier this year, K-9 Sheik of the Wheeling Police Department in West Virginia died after she was struck by a car. There certainly have been more fatal assaults against K-9s that weren’t reported publicly.

Unlike their human counterparts, K-9s do not sign up to risk their lives. They are loyal and protective, but they cannot consent to be used in violent encounters they did not cause or escalate. Veterinary experts and the U.S. military recognize that dogs, in addition to suffering the immediate physical pain and other effects of life-threatening injuries, can experience fear and anxiety from post-traumatic stress for the rest of their lives.

Will you please plan now to use state-of-the-art technology, such as tactical robots, drones, or portable mass spectrometers, which enhance safety and operational efficiency without risking anyone’s life, once your current K-9s have been retired? Your department may be able to secure grant funding for new technology through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, the DOJ Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. You might also find private or equipment-specific grant funding opportunities through PoliceGrantsHelp.com.

Thank you for your consideration and for all that you do to keep your community safe.

Most respectfully,

Allison Fandl

Manager of Special Projects

Cruelty Investigations Department | PETA