A St. Paul police canine officer was acquitted Wednesday by a Ramsey County District Court jury of felony assault in the alleged beating of his wife last summer.

Isaac Rinehart, 42, had been accused of assaulting his wife, Lisa Rinehart, while they were in a car outside his Maplewood home on June 22.

After the verdict was read, Isaac Rinehart's attorney, Andrew Birrell, said that he and the officer were "... grateful. It's been a nightmare for Isaac."

A felony conviction could have spelled the end of Rinehart's law-enforcement career. As it now stands, his future with the department is uncertain.

Police spokesman Sgt. Paul Schnell said Wednesday that the officer now would be the subject of an internal investigation.

He is on an unpaid leave of absence.

Last year, Rinehart was among several St. Paul K-9 cops to be featured on an Animal Planet TV series. His canine partner, Sarik, is now assigned to another officer, Schnell said.

ANTHONY LONETREE