Cops Killing Dogs...

[Woogie Man]

This is something that happened twice in my town recently. Apparently police killing dogs, whether a threat or not, is a growing and nationwide phenomenon.

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Nearly 100 dogs shot by metro police since 2010

ATLANTA —

A Channel 2 Action News investigation found nearly 100 cases of local officers shooting dogs within the past two years.

The investigation looked into the heartbreaking circumstances when a police officer kills a family pet -- probably one of the most difficult scenarios for a pet owner and for police.

Nearly two years after Basil was shot and killed in an empty lot by Fulton County Marshals, Elizabeth and Carey Cullifer said they still feel every bit of the pain.

"She was a really kind and gentle dog," said Elizabeth Cullifer.

She left their 45-pound dog outside alone for a moment. Marshals then came to their address with a civil lawsuit for someone who had not lived there in eight years.

Then Cullifer heard gunshots.

"I came out to see my dog in a pool of blood under the truck," said Carey Cullifer.

It is a story Channel 2 Action News has heard over and over from pet owners whose dogs had been shot and killed by police.

A Channel 2 Action News investigation uncovered dozens of cases all over the metro area. Individual department records show since 2010, dogs were shot 25 times in Atlanta, 32 times in DeKalb county, 19 times in Gwinnett County, 10 times in Clayton County and eight times in Cobb County, including the most recent shooting this past September.

"I had to watch him bleed to death and gasp for air and they just stood there looking at me like I was stupid," a Cobb County man said.

Cobb County officers responding to an alarm call shot and killed Luke, a chocolate lab when he ran out of the home barking. It was a false alarm.

The officer said he felt threatened by the dog and was cleared by the department of any wrongdoing.

In fact, every single case found in multiple departments, the officer was exonerated.

"There isn't an officer out there I know that wants to shoot a dog, any animal!" said Kliff Grimes a national representative for the International Brotherhood of Police Officers.

Grimes told Channel 2 that every day officers encounter dogs, some of them vicious.

"That officer unfortunately has to make a split-second decision to protect himself so that he can go home to his family," said Grimes.

When it comes to making that decision, Channel 2 only found one metro area department that requires officers to have training, specifically on how to respond to dogs. Cobb County started its training just this year.

"Even if the officer is trained to deal with the dog, the dog isn't trained to deal with the officer," said Grimes.

"I think it would be a help. It would be information that's certainly valuable," said Cyndy Dougan a dog trainer for 22 years.

Dougan is an expert on dog behavior and she says the issue is not black and white.

"I tell people even though you think you know how your dog is going to react in a situation where the police are called to the scene you may not be correct about that," said Dougan.

Elizabeth Cullifer said in her case she knows Basil was not aggressive and she believes officer training is key.

"With training there would be some accountability. There is no accountability in the situation with us. It was like he felt threatened, he shot your dog. That's it," she said.

Animal behavior experts tell Channel 2 knowing animal behavior is everything in these types of situations. A dog that appears to be aggressive may really just be nervous.

Dougan showed Channel 2's Erin Coleman how dogs at her kennel would respond to Coleman, a stranger. After letting several of the dogs go, one by one, unrestrained out into the yard.

"It's going to be a surprise to them that we're even here," said Dougan.

Some dogs did not pay attention to Coleman during the experiment, others started barking right away, running for her.

"Sometimes tail high and wagging isn't really a good sign. Didn't that scare you?" Dougan asked Coleman.

"A little bit," said Coleman.

"A little bit, I saw you jump. If you push this dog hard enough, this dog would be dangerous," said Dougan.

Another dog approached Coleman, "He's running away, he did not approach us, that is good," said Coleman.

Dougan said knowing animal behavior is key. For years the U.S. Postal Service has trained its mail carriers on dealing with dogs. Georgia Power meter readers also receive some training.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local...-police/nSrz7/

[Woogie Man]

Dog Shot By Omaha Police Officer

(video at link)

An Omaha police officer shot and killed a dog on a public sidewalk. The officer’s report claims the shooting was justified; however, the owners call the incident an execution of a friendly, family pet. Mike McKnight obtained surveillance video of the incident for a Fact Finders exclusive.

On October 7th, after midnight, police blocked a street in the area of 35th and Vinton to look for an armed suspect. They say Chris Schulte, who lives in the area, ignored orders to stop and walked the family dog toward the search area. He was arrested and his dog, Teela, shot.

Chris Schulte said, “You know I should have got back but I was just walking on. Not threatening, dog wasn't being aggressive.”

In the report by Officer Schuster and Officer Clement, the officers said “suspect’s dog became aggressive, growled at officers, and showed its teeth before being shot and killed.”

Tim Wagner told Channel 6 News he watched the incident, live, from inside his home via a night vision security camera.

Wagner said, “The dog didn't stand a chance. The dog did nothing aggressive. I've lived next to this dog two and a half years and it’s one of the best dogs.”

Fact Finders checked with the Nebraska Humane Society. Teela, a Labrador, golden retriever mix, had a clean record with no history of bites or vicious behavior. Schulte says Teela belonged to his aunt, Michelle Meadows.

Meadows said, “It was very shocking. I would think they would maybe taser her or something, if they thought she was being aggressive, but I don't think she was.”

The police report described Schulte as intoxicated. He was arrested, at the scene, for obstructing police and resisting arrest. He claims Teela, who was still on a leash, didn’t threaten to attack officers before one of them shot her.

“They didn't have to shoot em. Not at all. (It was an) Execution,” said Schulte.

Fact Finders showed the video to Omaha police command staff, whom provided a response. Lt. Darci Tierney said, “The Omaha Police Department is aware of the incident and Chief Schmaderer has authorized an Internal Investigation into the matter. As with all personnel matters, the Omaha Police Department is unable to comment further. Per OPD policy, anytime an officer discharges his/her firearm during the course of their duties an arduous review of the discharge will take place.”

Channel 6 News did pay for the rights to air the video.

VIDEO UPDATE EXCLUSIVE: Dog Shot By Omaha Police Officer

[Woogie Man]

Eldorado Man Accuses Police of Killing Dog

ELDORADO -- An Eldorado man is demanding justice after he says a police officer shot and killed his dog.

The Eldorado Police Department won't comment on the incident because it is under investigation. The dog's owner, Jason Robershaw, says the shooting was a gross error of judgement by an officer, and he wants to make sure his dog's death doesn't get swept under the rug.

"He was my best friend, so I just don't want this to go away quietly," said Robershaw.

Robershaw's six-year-old German Shepherd, Smokey, was more than a dog, he was a member of the family.

"I just sat here and watched my dog die," said Robershaw.

Robershaw said he and his fiancée were eating dinner last Sunday evening, when they heard a knock at the back door. A few moments later they heard a bark, a gunshot, then silence.

"Immediately when I opened the door I saw my dog lying there about 18-inches from the end of his chain. He was just shaking, and his tongue was hanging out and blood was coming out," said Robershaw.

Robershaw said an Eldorado officer told him he feared for his life. He claimed the dog came at him and attacked him when he knocked on the door. Robershaw says his dog was not dangerous, and he believes the officer made a poor decision out of panic.

"The officer had no right to come on my private property and shoot my dog, which was on a leash. The dog was doing what it's supposed to do. It is the protector of this house," said Robershaw.

To make matters worse, Robershaw said it all could have been avoided.

"He was at the wrong house, he was here to investigate a stolen ladder," said Robershaw. Robershaw says that the house the officer wanted was actually one block away.

"I can't say exactly what happened in the two to three seconds that it took for me to get to the door, but all I know is within that two to three seconds my dog was laying on the ground. It's something I'm going to remember for the rest of my life," said Robershaw.

News 3 filed a freedom of information request for a copy of the police report. Police Chief Shannon Deuel says it should be ready for release on Monday. The officer at the center of the investigation remains on active duty. Chief Deuel says the officer has worked at the department just short of one year.

Eldorado Man Accuses Police of Killing Dog | WSILTV | Local News

[Woogie Man]

Family wants action after officer guns down family pet

(video report at link)

ST. LOUIS, MI (WNEM) -

A local family is still shocked after what happened to their beloved pet. They say their dog was shot and killed at the hands of a police officer.

The shooting happened Saturday in St. Louis, Mich., in Gratiot County.

Lori Walmsley, a neighbor of the family who lost their pet, says she saw the incident.

Walmsley says she was outside playing with her own dog when her neighbor's golden retriever, Scout, ran over into her yard. She says she called the dog over to play, which Scout did, and then Scout ran back over back into his own yard. That's when Walmsley says a police officer showed up.

Walmsley said the officer asked if the was dog hers. She said "no," but told the officer Scout wasn't dangerous. She says the officer tried to catch the dog, who apparently didn't want to be caught. The dog tried to run away and when cornered by the officer, let out a little growl. Walmsley says she couldn't believe what happened next.

"I heard 'pop pop pop pop pop,' and I thought, 'what is going on,' and I [saw] the St. Louis Police Department standing over my dog," said Scout's owner.

"He just started shooting him, he just kept shooting him in the head," said Walmsley. "I said, 'What are you doing? He's just a puppy!'"

The dog was taken to the vet were it later died.

The witness says the officer wasn't provoked and she doesn't feel his reaction was warranted. Scout's owners were inside their house during the incident.

Family wants action after officer guns down pet - WNEM TV 5

[Woogie Man]

Sheriff defends deputy who responded to wrong house, killed tethered dog

The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday that it would not be pursuing disciplinary action against a deputy who fatally shot a tethered dog earlier this week.

Richard Woodruff was inside his Spartanburg, S.C. home Monday morning when he heard barking followed by a gunshot. The man rushed outside to check on his 8-year-old shepherd mix, Diamond, who had been playing out front while tethered to the porch railing.

"I ran outside and I see this guy standing over my dog holding a gun," Woodruff told Channel 7 news. "'I said, 'Why did you shoot my dog?' And his response to me was, 'Sir, she tried to bite me.' I said, 'She tried to bite you? She can't go any further to get you!'"

According to Woodruff, the dog was at the limit of her tether and could not advance any further when she was shot by plain-clothed deputy Eric Boutin. "All he had to do was take a couple of steps back and she could not have bitten him," Woodruff said in the Channel 7 interview.

Woodruff also pointed out the "Beware of Dog" sign attached to an oak tree on his lawn. The man states that the deputy parked his car in front of the sign and then walked right past it.

Following Diamond's shooting, Woodruff learned that the deputy had come to the property to serve child support papers on a man who did not live there. As a matter of fact, Woodruff says that he has lived in the home for five years and has no idea who the man is.

Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright has expressed remorse over the incident, but states that Deputy Boutin will not be punished for the shooting of Diamond. Wright justified the shooting by saying that there was a chance the tether could have slipped off which would have resulted in Boutin being bitten.

Diamond's bereaved owner is not satisfied with the department's response and does not believe that his tethered 35 pound dog posed a serious risk to the deputy. He plans on pursuing legal action against the department.


Sheriff defends deputy who responded to wrong house, killed tethered dog - Philadelphia animal protection | Examiner.com

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If you check the dates on these stories, I only went back to August of this year. I'm barely scratching the surface.

There is a website dedicated to dogs that have been victims of the police. Here's the link.

Dogs that Cops Killed

[kjc]

Welcome back!

Wow, this is quite disgusting, and very sad for all the owners....

[lynzy420]

Do you have first hand experience with this subject?

[lynzy420]

Additionally, I think any officer who has been bitten by a dog previous to being an officer or while an officer should receive counseling and additional training, why? Because they are human and being bitten by a dog, almost attacked by a dog, is very stressful/traumatic and many, many, many people suffer PTSD like symptoms after such an occurence.

[Woogie Man]

Originally Posted by kjc

Welcome back!

Wow, this is quite disgusting, and very sad for all the owners....

Hi, Kathy!!

Originally Posted by lynzy420

Do you have first hand experience with this subject?

While this hasn't happened to me personally, it did happen twice in my town last year.

Police use deadly force on dog; Owner wonders why - WLOX.com - The News for South Mississippi

Police shoot chained Pit bull - National Dogs | Examiner.com

I started this thread to create awareness about a growing trend with law enforcement killing innocent dogs. There are surely cases where such action may be justified, but I've posted several that aren't and could spam this thread with many more.

Postmen and meter readers often encounter dogs, but I don't hear about about them leaving dead dogs in their wake. You would think that police should have the training to not pull out a gun as first choice in any situation.

Here's a story that is particularly heartbreaking and could happen to any one of us. Lillie, a border collie, was shot in her own yard when a police officer showed up at the wrong address. A neighbor heard the officer say he thought it was a pit bull (as it that makes it all right).

Video at link:

Police officer shoots and kills family's dog after responding to wrong address - KDAF

[gemy]

Wow that is concerning. What about public safety? What if the bullet had exited the body and had hit another person?

I do hope these officers get some training on how to handle animals. It seems like all the police departments by approving their action are condoning use of excessive force when dealing with animals. That is just horrible

[Verbena]

Wow. . . . I think they need to send all the officers to the post office training!

[Jeepmom]

This is not ALL law enforcement officers. As a LEO, we are trained how to use or weapons both lethal and non-lethal. I personally have been to a home on several occasions and had no problems with the owners dog. Then one day I showed up and for no reason it pinned me up against the house. Shocked me and the owner!! Luckily it was a well trained dog and listen to the owners command. I have also had experiences with dogs only to have the owner assure me that the dog was friendly and NEVER acted aggressive before. I am not excusing what happened, but I will not judge since I coud find myself in a similar situation. I start everyday hoping I will not have to use my firearm on any creature.

[Woogie Man]

Originally Posted by Jeepmom

This is not ALL law enforcement officers. As a LEO, we are trained how to use or weapons both lethal and non-lethal. I personally have been to a home on several occasions and had no problems with the owners dog. Then one day I showed up and for no reason it pinned me up against the house. Shocked me and the owner!! Luckily it was a well trained dog and listen to the owners command. I have also had experiences with dogs only to have the owner assure me that the dog was friendly and NEVER acted aggressive before. I am not excusing what happened, but I will not judge since I coud find myself in a similar situation. I start everyday hoping I will not have to use my firearm on any creature.

This thread was not started to smear all LEOs. It was started to create awareness about an issue that seems to be growing in scope; one that could potentially affect any one of us.

If you read through the examples I gave, you saw that in several instances the LEO either went to the wrong house or shot a dog that was on a chain/leash and presented no threat, yet still was shot. This is inexcusable. As I stated, I could provide many more examples to illustrate how widespread this problem is becoming.

The examples I gave don't seem to follow the protocol for use of deadly force, yet these officers are facing no consequence for their actions. Is it because it's 'just a dog'? I would argue that improper use of deadly force is a serious matter, even if it is just a dog. An officer that is quick to fire his/her weapon is a threat to public safety. As was mentioned earlier, what about the possibility of a stray shot hitting an innocent person?

Since you have been confronted by dogs and have not felt the need to kill one, obviously you are not part of the problem. In fact, most officers are not part of the problem. However, there are enough instances of innocent dogs being killed to say that there certainly is a problem.

[Jeepmom]

At no point did I say it was not a problem. I did not responded to start an agreement or defend LEO's. I just wanted to show some examples were a non- aggressive dog could turn aggressive. As you said it could happened to anyone. My 5 pound Nigel is a beast if he feels I am in danger and not to make light of the subject, but I have learned the smaller ones are the ones to watch out for. I have been bite more than once in my life and it did not change my attitude towards animals. If the officer is wrong or " trigger happy" he/she needs to be dealt with. I have seen this topic on other forums turn into a smear campaign and I love my profession. As any job you have the good, the bad and unfourteneatly the ugly. I will leave this forum to you guys. Have a good day and be safe.

[Patty]

I guess I don't believe everything in the newspapers or on the television. They are good at leading the stories where they want it to go. Just saying.......