JASPER– A criminal investigation conducted by the Indiana State Police has resulted in the Dubois County Prosecutor’s Office issuing a summons to appear in court to 29-year-old Trooper Dustan Rubenacker, on a charge of striking a law enforcement animal, a Class A misdemeanor.
Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation after Rubenacker allegedly struck his police K-9 Odin during a March 17th training session in Jasper.
Several Indiana State Police K-9 teams were present when the alleged incident occurred.
During the training session, Rubenacker and Odin were participating in an exercise and Odin was not properly focusing on the correct target. Rubenacker allegedly used unreasonable discipline toward Odin, which resulted in an injury.
Odin was taken to a veterinarian clinic where it was determined Odin, a five-year-old Belgian Malinois had a serious fracture to his right rear leg. Odin underwent surgery to repair his leg, but it is not known at this time if Odin will return to work. Odin has been a member of the Indiana State Police for approximately four years. Rubenacker is a six-year veteran of the Indiana State Police.
The summons for Rubenacker was served Wednesday afternoon. Rubenacker is scheduled to appear in Dubois Circuit Court on July 6 at 10:30 a.m.
Rubenacker is currently on administrative leave with pay.
The internal investigation is on-going.
