Prison time for man who killed Pima County sheriff’s K-9 Kenzo

A Tucson man has been sentenced to prison for stabbing a Pima County Sheriff’s Department K-9 named Kenzo to death.

Cody Dillon Bartlett, 36, charged with armed robbery and killing or harming a work or service animal, was sentenced Wednesday by Judge Kim Ortiz to four years in prison for armed robbery and 1½ years for the death of K-9 Kenzo.

Bartlett was also ordered to pay $17,800 to the Sheriff’s Department as restitution for Kenzo’s death in October 2023.

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During the hearing, Bartlett described the incident as “senseless,” saying he had been under the influence of methamphetamine at the time, KVOA reported. He also said it wasn’t his intention to cause so much damage.

The incident took place when sheriff’s deputies were searching for a suspect related to an armed robbery on Oct. 27, 2023.

Kenzo was released into a commercial yard when a man was seen entering it. The K9 was soon found lying unresponsive with life-threatening injuries next to the man.

Kenzo was taken to a veterinarian hospital, where he was declared dead. The dog’s injuries were consistent with a stabbing, the initial news release said.