A state trooper, fired after he was caught on camera kicking his police dog, is still waiting to find out whether he will get his job back.

Former K-9 trooper Charles Jones was fired for what the state calls "unacceptable conduct."

Jones listened at a hearing Thursday as his attorney told the state personnel commission that jones loved his K-9, Richo, and his training methods were acceptable.

He was fired after two cell phone video clips surfaced showing Jones suspending and kicking Richo after the Belgian Malinoix would not release a reward.

The state argues Jones' actions qualify as unbecoming conduct, but Jones' attorney Jack O'Hale said there are no written guidelines and Jones was trying to gain control of Richo.

"When you're dealing with deadly weapons you have vigorous training," O'Hale said.

Ashby Ray, attorney for the state, said it doesn't matter if there are no written guidelines.

"Although we don't have a specific policy that says you can't tie a dog up by its neck and suspend it from a railing and kick it, we do have a policy that says you have to use conduct sparingly and judiciously," Ray said.

In June a state administrative law judge ruled Jones shouldn't have been fired and should get his job back. The state personel commission has to reach a decision within 60 days. It could then be appealed to Superior Court.

Jones is currently a police officer for the Town of Apex.

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Raw Video: Cell Phone Video Footage Of Alleged Dog Abuse (04/28/08)