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Chandler sergeant linked to police dog's death files claim against Arpaio

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CHANDLER — A police officer acquitted of animal cruelty in the death of a police dog he left in his patrol car for 13 hours last summer has filed a $350,000 claim against the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

Chandler Sgt. Tom Lovejoy filed a 12-page written claim with the Sheriff's Office on Wednesday alleging malicious prosecution.

He and his attorney accuse Sheriff Joe Arpaio and deputies of pursuing the case for publicity, even though it had no legal basis.

The filing sets the stage for a possible lawsuit by Lovejoy and his family. If the sheriff doesn't respond within 60 days or declines to settle, Lovejoy is legally entitled to sue.

Arpaio's office did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Lovejoy was arrested in August 2007 after the death of his police dog, Bandit.

He was acquitted last month in San Tan Justice Court on an animal-cruelty charge that stemmed from the investigation.

Lovejoy could have been jailed for six months if he had been convicted of the misdemeanor count.