There appears to have been some taunting that went on Sunday at Heinz Field and no, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Mike Mitchell wasn’t involved in any of it.
According to a Tuesday afternoon report by KDKA, authorities are looking into the alleged taunting of a police K-9 by a member of the Oakland Raiders just prior to them taking the field on Sunday to play the Steelers.
“We were immediately notified about the incident, and we immediately initiated a criminal investigation into the matter. Sheriff’s Office supervisors interviewed witnesses and reviewed video surveillance recordings at Heinz Field. We notified the District Attorney’s Office on Sunday. The Sheriff’s Office is currently reviewing all of the information and reports to make a final determination relating to charges,” Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Kevin Kraus said, per the station’s online report.
According to Marcie Cipriani of WTAE, Sheriff’s office officials have said that a Raiders player, linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong, reportedly lifted up his shirt, pounded on his chest and then began barking at a police K-9 as he was headed onto the field.
While no chargers have been filed, taunting a police K-9 is apparently a felony in the state of Pennsylvania.
As many of you are well aware, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has long distributed grants to police and fire departments’ canine units throughout the United States through his charitable foundation.
Additionally, the Steelers received a lot of criticism from a small portion of their fan base in addition to animal rights activists at the start of the season when they signed quarterback Mike Vick to the roster. Vick had served 21 months in prison for his role in an illegal interstate dog fighting ring that had operated for five years.
