Raiders release player accused of taunting K9 at Heinz Field

PITTSBURGH — The Oakland Raiders have waived linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong weeks after an incident involving a police dog at Heinz Field.

The team announced the move Tuesday evening on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/RAIDERS/status/669281517026299904

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Earlier this month, Pennsylvania authorities decided that Armstrong did not act maliciously when he confronted the dog just before the start of a Nov. 8 game in Pittsburgh against the Steelers.

• NFL player's actions toward police dog deemed not malicious

Investigators had been trying to determine whether the player's conduct constituted taunting of a police dog, a third-degree felony.

The sheriff's office has said the player lifted his shirt, beat his chest and barked at the explosive detection dog before telling a deputy to release the animal, which she did not.

The sheriff and prosecutor have agreed the player's behavior was not a malicious act but still created an unnecessary security risk. The dog had to be taken out of service after the incident.

• Charges being considered against Oakland Raiders player accused of taunting K-9 officer

The district attorney plans to talk with authorities in California to determine the best response.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

WPXI