Man Sentenced to 45 Years for Robbery and Killing Police Dog “Jethro”

 

CANTON The man who fatally shot Canton police dog Jethro has been sentenced to 45 years in prison.   The man who sparked national outrage when he shot and killed a Canton police dog during a burglary in January was sentenced Wednesday to 45 years in prison

 Kelontre D. Barefield, 23, pleaded guilty to a list of charges stemming from multiple court cases on Wednesday. Specific to K-9 Jethro's death, Barefield was sentenced to six years -- the maximum allowed by state law.

Stark County Common Pleas Judge Kristin G. Farmer called Barefield's actions "intolerable" and said they violated "the safety and security of this county and the people sworn to protect it" as she sentenced him to a combined 45-year prison term that covers both pending cases.'One of the problems is Jethro is refusing to rest,' read an update on the Canton Police K-9 Association's Facebook page.  

'He's just trying to beat this thing the way he's used to, by fighting. So they have given him a sedative that has finally allowed his brain to settle enough to actually close his eyes and rest.' 

Jethro was still resting in the morning but took a sudden turn for the worst and passed away, it was reported Sunday afternoon.