HOUSTON -- An Oak Ridge North canine officer accused of starving his own dog to death watched Monday morning, as the first step of his trial got under way with jury selection.

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Animal Rights Group Wants Justice

Doug Barry, 31, was charged with cruelty to animals after his malnourished German shepherd was found in neighbor's back yard on Aug. 16, and then later died after being picked up by Montgomery County Animal Control on its way to the shelter.

Barry said that his dog was malnourished and mangy because it had gotten out of the back yard and had been missing for a few days.

A necropsy revealed that the dog had junk, but not an ounce of food in its stomach, authorities said.

The Oak Ridge North Police Department is standing behind Barry, who is a nine-year veteran of the force.

Barry's wife, Kimberly, also faces an animal cruelty charge, but has hired a separate attorney.

If convicted, the Barrys face up to a year behind bars and/or a $4,000 fine, and Barry could lose his job as a police officer, authorities said.

Meanwhile, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, an animals' rights group, had asked the police department to reassign Barry at least until the outcome of the trial, but the department denied its request.