Former Sulphur officer indicted on charge of animal cruelty

Arzy Kensington. (Source: Brandon Carpenter/Huffington Post)

SULPHUR, LA (KPLC) - The former Sulphur police officer accused of fatally shooting a dog in late April was indicted Thursday on a charge of animal cruelty.

Brian L. Thierbach was indicted on one count of aggravated cruelty to animals.

The grand jury declined to indict him on a charge of simple animal cruelty.

Thierbach resigned in early May while he was being investigated by the Sulphur Police Department and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office. Thierbach gained national attention after shooting a dog named Arzy during an arrest.

Bond was set at $20,000 and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Alyson Antoon, the attorney for Brandon Carpenter, Arzy's owner, confirms the charge and says Thierbach is expected to turn himself in.

"It's a step in the right direction," said Carpenter. "It's hard to believe someone is actually doing something about this."

"I really do feel bad for Officer Thierbach's family. It must be a hard thing to go through," Carpenter said.