Another dog shot in his own backyard
 

Police Shoot, Kill Dog During Foot Chase - Louisville News Story - WLKY Louisville

[[Video on website]]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Police officers chased a home invasion suspect on foot through a neighborhood, but also ended up shooting and killing a dog in its own back yard.

Police said the dog attacked an officer, but the dog's owner said that explanation is ridiculous."It's heartbreaking. It's killing me," said Michelle Damron, the dog's owner. "I just think shooting a dog and letting it suffer to its death because you're too scared to get bit was wrong -- especially when you came in his yard."

Damron said she raised Rocco since he was just three days old. But on Wednesday, the 6-year-old full-sized Doberman found himself caught in the middle of a police pursuit -- right outside his own cage.

Police said officers were chasing a home invasion suspect through Damron's neighborhood on Madelon Court around 6 p.m. when the suspect darted into her back yard.

"I got up to see what was going on because the dog was raising a fit, just barking, and I saw somebody else come as I was getting to the door, and as soon as I opened the door, I heard two gunshots," Damron said. "I looked over and my dog was hollering and there was blood everywhere, and he went inside of his dog house and eventually died."

"He went back in there crying and screaming and eventually died. He suffered," Damron continued. "They were chasing an armed robber and I guess he feared he was going to get bit. That dog wouldn't have bit."

Police said the Doberman jumped on the suspect and then attacked an officer. They said the officer had to shoot the dog in self-defense and to protect the suspect.

Still, Damron is unconvinced."It did not give them the right to shoot my dog. I mean, a dog is going to bark. That's his job. He's in his yard. You come in his yard, he's going to bark," Damron said.

Metro Animal Services came to remove the dog from the scene. Damron said she wants more."I think something ought to be done other than an apology. An apology doesn't stop his hurt. It doesn't stop my hurt. It doesn't bring back my dog," Damron said.

Police are calling it a horrible situation. But they said that doesn't change the fact that police officers have the right to defend themselves when they're being attacked, whether by a human or by an animal.

Police said the department is working with the dog's owner and her family to help with the situation.

Police said the home invasion suspect was Dijon Barlow, 24. He was handcuffed and taken into custody shortly after the dog was shot. He's being charged with fleeing or evading police, resisting arrest and third-degree criminal trespass.

So sad. I agree with the home owner. Wtf? Protecting the suspect? Let his behind get bit.

Just another reasons my dogs are never outside alone. Because we can fight for days about whether the cops had the right or not, but nothing will bring the dog back now.

Agreed :thumbup:

IMO it was not the fault of the police officer who's job is to "Serve and Protect" but in fact the actions of the armed robber that cause the entire situation to even take place. The robber should be held accountable for his actions. :thumbdown What a very sad situation to have occurred. :(

Sad story. I watched the video. It sounds like the DOG actually caught and subdued the suspect and then when the officer came into the yard to "capture" the suspect the dog reacted to the 2nd intruder. I does not sound like the dog bit the officer so was he even attacking the officer. I think the officer acted incorrectly. They could have surrounded the yard and had the owner who was right there call off the dog. Or a least tasered or pepper sprayed the dog.

After thinking it over a bit I think the police have a very difficult job. I think at times the adrenaline of the situation coupled with a job where their lives are in danger can cause some very unfortunate results. I would not want to have a job where my life was on the line, where every situation had the potential to kill me. I wish things could have been handled differently.

That just breaks my heart and really pisses me off. I do agree that it was the "bad" guy that actually initiated the problem. I also believe that police officers don't get enough training and get way too "juiced up" during chases to think clearly and the results of this lack of training to think during a crisis ends up in tragedy all too often.

The poor dog and owner. :( Another reminder that having a large dog isn't necessarily any easier/safer than a small dog. Large dogs are at risk unsupervised in the yard too.

I know I would not want to have the horribly difficult job of a Police Officer. Until I have put myself in his position, I cannot say what I would do in any given situation.

How sad... This is why dogs should not be left outside no matter how big they are. What a tragic story :(

It is a very sad situation. I agree that no dog should be left alone. My big dog has lived in the house all of his life.
I was asked once if my dogs lived outside and my answer was "I dont make my children live in the backyard and neither do my dogs."

this makes me sick. to have your dog's life taken because someone whether a criminal or police coming into your property and killing him is WRONG. I don't care how you look at it. It is not right to intrude onto anyone else's property and take their beloved pet's life. you came into HIS territory, what the hell did you expect??? he's going to bark and be upset that you are there. as long as he's not attacking you to your death leave him the hell alone. you could easily use a night stick on him or taise or pepper spray him if you had to. those cops better pay back in full all the damages done because nothing and no amount of money will replace that dog for her.

STUPID SITUATION...Fuming mad about this.

What a sad story. It breaks my heart just to think about it.

:( I feel so bad for the owner. Rocco sounds like he was doing what his instincts told him to do, protect his family. He doesn't know a cop from a regular intruder.
I just cannot imagine witnessing something like this happen to one of my dogs. We have 2 working cattle dogs and they stay outside in a run when not in the fields or supervised. (They would NOT be happy living indoors.)
The suspect is completely to blame here, but I wish police officers were better trained/equipped to handle situations with animals. I don't think shooting a dog is the answer.

This is so sad. I don't see how they can make this ok, or make it right. It's just wrong.