Former Long and McIntosh deputy arrested for injuring police dog

A former deputy sheriff from southeast Georgia is in prison on charges of animal cruelty in connection with a police dog.

Richmond Hill officers arrested Matthew Ainsworth at a Richmond Hill home on Thursday.

According to RHPD, a report was filed on June 4, 2024, accusing Ainsworth of injuring his assigned dog handler while working for the Long County Sheriff’s Office.

According to police, the dog handler has been transferred to another jurisdiction and is doing well.

Ainsworth is a former deputy sheriff of McIntosh County and Long County. Dates of his employment are unknown.

Ainsworth is currently being held in the Bryan County Jail without bail set.

The investigation is ongoing.