Morton County says dog handlers hired by DAPL were not properly licensed to work in ND

The Morton County Sheriff's Department has finished its investigation into the proper licensing of private security guards used on a Dakota Access Pipeline construction site.

The report says that on Sept. 3, seven of the dog handlers at the pipeline protest that day, were not licensed to do security work in the State of North Dakota. Lead investigator Morton County Sheriff Captain Jay Gruebele says that he was told there were no intentions of using the dogs or handlers for security work. However, because of the protest events, the dogs were deployed as a method of trying to keep the protesters under control.

"I was surprised that a company as big as what this pipeline company is. It would have security people working in the state. That came in from other states. That came in and were working and weren't actually following the rules of the state of North Dakota," said Capt. Jay Gruebele, Morton County Sheriff's Department.

The findings from the investigation have been forwarded to the Morton County States Attorney's Office and the North Dakota Private Investigators and Security Board for possible charges.