MESQUITE (1080 KRLD)- A 16-year-old is being charged with the beating death of a Mesquite K9 officer named Kozmo.
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Kozmo died early Monday morning during a search in the woods for felony suspects.
The dog had been released to help Balch Springs police track the suspects. Officers eventually found the suspects, but could not find Kozmo. The dog was found dead a short time later.
A necropsy was conducted showing "trauma consistent with an assault."
The 16-year-old male, has been charged with "interference with a police service animal (causing injury or death)", which is a second-degree felony.
Flags were lowered Monday outside the Mesquite Police Department. A public memorial is being planned.