Arpaio, Seagal Deny Dog Killing Claim During Raid

PHOENIX — Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and actor Steven Seagal deny accusations by a Phoenix man and his lawyer that a family dog was killed during a raid for Seagal's reality TV show.

The sheriff's office said in a news release the allegation is without merit. Seagal added he's outraged.

The action movie actor was participating in the raid as a special deputy sheriff for his show "Steven Seagal Lawman" on the A&E cable channel. His movie credits include "Under Siege," "Above the Law" and "Fire Down Below."

Seagal and numerous deputies and posse members were present March 9 during a raid at the home of Jesus Llovera. In the claim, Llovera says an 11-month-old puppy was killed along with 100 roosters.

According to witnesses at the raid, a dog was present on Llovera's property when deputies and SWAT team members, including Seagal, entered the premises with a search warrant to arrest Llovera on cockfighting charges and seize all evidence pertaining to the crime.

Arpaio said there's no evidence to back up the claim that his officers killed a dog.

"If my deputies, or posse man Seagal for that matter, had done something so awful like shooting a family dog, then where are the photos to prove it?" Arpaio asked.

Llovera's attorney, Robert Campos, told The Associated Press Friday his client didn't accuse Steven Seagal of killing an animal on his property in a notice of claim filed against the sheriff's office.

"My client never accused Seagal of having anything to do with the death of his puppy," Campos said. "He (Llovera) just wanted an apology from Seagal for his role in the destruction of my client's home, property and animals."

In Llovera's claim, the sheriff's office and Seagal are accused of setting off explosives to create a distraction and confusion. The claim says Seagal was free to commandeer a tank and crash through an iron gate on the southeast corner of Llovera's property in southwest Phoenix.

In an interview with KTAR Radio in Phoenix during the March raid, Seagal said he was there to help guard one side of Llovera's house.

"We're just sort of, you know, trying to guard one side of the house and see if anybody would run out or anything like that or, do anything worse than that," Seagal said. "We're kind of just doing that and I didn't really enter the house today."

Llovera is seeking $25,000 against the sheriff's office for humiliation, emotional distress and property damage.

Comments

[toliva87]

03:47 PM on 10/18/2011

what i dont get is what was he doing in a TANK?!!?!? is this supposed to be reno 911 or cops?!?!? joe arpaio loves the fame, obviously segal does too.... how can we let these people exercise actual authority?!!? this is as much a joke as the GOVERNATOR

[HaroldHeckubah]

12:43 AM on 09/06/2011

One of my cable channels is plaing "Above the Law" right now. To make a movie that bad, I believe you actually need to be above the law. Or at least have a good lawyer, to handle all the casting couch mashing complaints.
http://entertainment.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/04/16/jenny-mccarthy-steven-seagal-strip-naked-cry/

[Miss Cathy67]

04:01 PM on 09/06/2011

but at least you can under stand Seagal, Arnie baby was another didiot that had no acting skills and above the law was Seagal's first movie, have you ever seen Arnie's ?

[HaroldHeckubah]

12:37 AM on 09/06/2011

"...get me the Justice Department, Entertainment Division." Man, are we that far off? I'm an animal lover, and I think cockfighting is beyond cruel. But using a tank to crash the property is beyond overkill. Sounds like they could have knocked on his door. Then again, where are the ratings in that, right?

[VitaHound]

07:21 PM on 09/05/2011

The VitaHound organization is Headquarter in Arizona, therefor we interact with many of the organizations dedicated to pet's wellfare in Maricopa County. The sheriff is probably the most aggressive animal rights advocate in a position to enforce his opinion. In a past incident where a fellow officer in the canine unit accidently killed his dog, the sheriff arrested the officer based on allegations of negligence. Our staff is constantly providing care and nutrition products to the rescue efforts of the AZ rescue organizations and the sheriff’s people are helping suffering pets daily. This is opposed to the accuser who is a known cockfighting ring leader, and with the national press firmly biased against Arpaio it has been interesting watching this play out in various news forums.

[HaroldHeckubah]

12:39 AM on 09/06/2011

A bag of vinegar and water who has a soft spot for animals is still a bag of vinegar and water.

[REDSTATEREFUGEE]

05:40 PM on 09/05/2011

I, too, am considering filing a lawsuit against Seagal for emotional distress induced from having endured some of the most wooden acting in memory.

[calibellemom06]

09:26 AM on 09/05/2011

This is what happens when goof-offs like action movie stars try to be serious and take on another profession----
Another example is Arnold turning from action movie actor into a "career" of politics.
These actors are just that--they act--and there is nothing real about putting on an act.
They are all about the action and drama--they thrive off of it.
Bigger mistakes are made that are supposed to have real consequences---but remember everything with these actors is fake!

[Mon Key]

07:03 PM on 09/04/2011

He finally did some hardcore work in this field!

[goozled]

01:58 PM on 09/04/2011

:::::::BREAKING NEWS::::::::

The Judge in the Steven Seagal puppy killing case has just handed down a very Harsh sentence for the Hollywood actor... He is to WATCH all of his movies in a non-stop loop lasting 72 hours,Steven Seagal Attorney called this not only a crime against my Client but of all Humanity

[LaurenRuth]

10:14 AM on 09/04/2011

"We're kind of just doing that and I didn't really enter the house today."

"kind of" -- "just doing that" -- "and I didn't really enter the house today."

He was "kind of" just doing that, and he "didn't really" enter the house, "today." Good answer Steven. Completely vague and full of wiggle room. Well done.

[chypher]

12:49 AM on 09/04/2011

from wiki.

Law enforcement work

Seagal is currently a Reserve Deputy Chief of the Sheriff's Office in the community of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. Seagal has a second home in Louisiana, and spends several months a year there.[20] He graduated from a police academy in California over twenty years ago and has a certificate from Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST), an organization that accredits California police officers. In November 2008, A&E announced that they had begun taping Steven Seagal: Lawman, which follows his work in the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. The series premiered on A&E on December 2, 2009. Seagal stated that "I’ve decided to work with A&E on this series now because I believe it’s important to show the nation all the positive work being accomplished here in Louisiana—to see the passion and commitment that comes from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in this post-Katrina environment." The series premiere drew 3.6 million viewers, ranking as best season opener for any original A&E series ever.[21]

[Victor Trevino]

06:39 PM on 09/03/2011

The claim says Seagal was free to commandeer a tank and crash through an iron gate on the southeast corner of Llovera's property in southwest Phoenix.

Is anyone else uncomfortable with allowing people to drive tanks into houses for television shows? Rollerball can't be too far away.

[PerryMason]

05:21 PM on 09/03/2011

FACT CHECK: The Huffpost link to this story on its "Hollyweird" page reads "Steven Seagal Denies Killing Puppy In Police Raid." This implies that Mr. Seagal was accused of killing a puppy.

The truth is that Mr. Seagal was never accused of killing a puppy. The lawyer for the puppy's owner is quoted in the story as saying, "My client never accused Seagal of having anything to do with the death of his puppy."

Come on Huffpost, let's leave the yellow journalism to the tabloids.

American Heritage Dictionary: yellow journalism: n.
Journalism that exploits, distorts, or exaggerates the news to create sensations and attract readers.

[chypher]

12:58 AM on 09/04/2011

American Heritage Dictionary­: yellow journalism­: n.
Journalism that exploits, distorts, or exaggerate­s the news to create sensations and attract readers.

considering who controlls huffpo you expect any better?

[Dahveed1]

02:34 PM on 09/03/2011

BS. Here's a man engaged in the cruel sport of animal fighting claiming that he's "emotionally distressed" over the death of an animal. Ironic, since he is usually entertained by such an event. Maybe he is really distressed because he wanted to watch the animal die himself and missed it.

Anyway, the bum ought to be sent to prison where he can be one of the animals fighting to the death.

[Late Night]

10:19 AM on 09/03/2011

Since when are cops allowed to have flowing pony tails?

[mpk1028]

09:32 AM on 09/03/2011

Seagal and Arpaio were just filming a scene for their new action movie, "Hard to Watch". It is a sequel to their previous film, "Under Whelm".