Married LAPD Officers Charged With Cruelty To Their Labrador

WEST COVINA (CBSLA) – Two married Los Angeles police officers pleaded not guilty Monday to criminal charges that they did not take proper care of their dog.

Sgt. Jason David Azpeitia, 43, and Detective Sharon Anne Azpeitia, 42, of West Covina face one felony count each of cruelty to an animal and two misdemeanor counts of failure to license, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office reported Monday.

On Jan. 9, according to the DA's office, the couple's elderly Labrador was found by a neighbor wandering a West Covina street in the rain showing signs of severe neglect. Charges were filed against them Sept. 13.

If convicted as charged, they face a maximum sentence of three years in jail.

It was not immediately clear if their status with the police department had been affected by the charges. Jason Azpeitia is a sergeant with the LAPD's Hollenbeck division, while Sharon Azpeitia is an LAPD detective.

The DA's office also did not disclose whether the dog had been removed from the couple's care. The L.A. County Department of Animal Care and Control is investigating.