Police officer shoots dangerous attack dog

[Oldgringo]

Right2Carry wrote:

What I find amazing is that there are irresponisble owners who think that their pet is above the laws of the city and refuse to control their pets.

I don't think that owner pet control is the issue here at all. I, and others, agree that domestic pets, including cats, should not run unfettered. My issue is the use of deadly force against a little pet that may have weighed more than his killer's IQ score. IMO and I wasn't there, killing the miniature dachshund was uncalled for unless it was foaming at the mouth. Really, they ain't tall enough to bite above the ankle (kick dog with foot if you must).

A wild dog, or a pack of dogs, is a dog of another color, granted.

[quidni]

The officer probably could have handled it better, but he shouldn't have had to.

Well said.

I fault the owner just as much, if not more than, the officer. And ultimately, the dog paid the price because of his owner's carelessness.

[Oldgringo]

If some kid, or an older person like me, was trying to catch the loose animal and bring it back to it's yard, I guess it would be okay to the kid and/or me too?

Methinks, some of y'all are reaching for excuses for an inexcusable act?

[boomerang]

Methinks, some of y'all are reaching for excuses for an inexcusable act?

I agree. Habitually letting a pet run wild is pretty inexcusable.

[KD5NRH]

A dog running at you that is purposely out to cause harm is quite a bit different than a vicious newborn kitten going after your shoelace.

Having seen a kitten tear up a multiple black belt pretty badly, I don't want to get into a fight with anything that has claws and plays dirty.

Regardless of skill or strength, when it climbs your leg into your shorts at full speed and attacks from inside your drawers, there's just no counterattack that isn't going to make things worse.

[Liberty]

Regardless of skill or strength, when it climbs your leg into your shorts at full speed and attacks from inside your drawers, there's just no counterattack that isn't going to make things worse.

I suppose shooting at that time isn't a very practical option.

[seamusTX]

One of these days, one of y'all who think every dog that looks at you sideways needs to be shot is going to meet up with one who is willing to do anything to protect his dog. It won't be a pretty sight.

You may want to rethink that last statement. It seems to me if the owner has his dog under control then there should be no issues.

I rethunk it. I haven't changed my mind.

Views have been expressed in this forum that a dog's life has no more value than a mosquito's. Others have said that they would shoot or assault a human being to protect their dog. Those opposing positions have the makings of violent conflict.

This is not just hypothetical. I posted a story several weeks ago about a man who shot four people and got himself killed in a dispute that started over pets: http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... 26&t=25214" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[Right2Carry]

One of these days, one of y'all who think every dog that looks at you sideways needs to be shot is going to meet up with one who is willing to do anything to protect his dog. It won't be a pretty sight.

You may want to rethink that last statement. It seems to me if the owner has his dog under control then there should be no issues.

I rethunk it. I haven't changed my mind.

Views have been expressed in this forum that a dog's life has no more value than a mosquito's. Others have said that they would shoot or assault a human being to protect their dog. Those opposing positions have the makings of violent conflict.

This is not just hypothetical. I posted a story several weeks ago about a man who shot four people and got himself killed in a dispute that started over pets: http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... 26&t=25214" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

All you proved is what others on this forum have stated. Keep your animals (pets) under control as the law requires and you won't have any problems.

Fact: The dog is dead for one reason and one reason only...the irresponsible owner did not have his dog under control and it charged a police officer. Size is irrelevant to this conversation and the applicable leash laws. A kick by the officer could have resulted in killing the dog or maiming it for life also. A person shouldn't have to wait to see if the Dog is going to bite or stop its attack, just like I shouldn't have to wait to determine the intentions of an intruder in my house before acting.

There was no malice on the officers part.

[DoubleJ]

maybe if the cop woulda had some good boots he wouldn't have needed to worry about "getting nipped."

maybe if the owner had a fence his dog wouldn't have gotten shot.

I take the Police Chief's position as, "i'm not going to 'officially' do anything to the officer in question." That said, I feel, however, that every other dude in his department is prolly giving him a good "ribbing." And if they aren't, they dern well oughtta be! I vote his ManCard gets a corner taken off.

maybe, just maybe, this was some kind of agenda "lesson" given to the populace that if you don't lock up yer mutts, they may have a sudden uptake of Pb.

this is my attack cat. she'll eatcha!

[Keith B]

OK DoubleJ, is she truly acting vicious in that photo or is that really a yawn after a good nap that was caught on camera??

[flintknapper]

OK DoubleJ, is she truly acting vicious in that photo or is that really a yawn after a good nap that was caught on camera??

An obvious yawn, (tongue curled, ears erect, attention diverted) BUT....you never know, so just to be the safe side SHOOT IT!


Again, my problem with this whole incident is that the officer clearly did NOT do the "best" thing for all involved. I just could not care less...if the officer was within the law or dept. "policy", I expect our LEO to do better than that. Being within "policy" doesn't make something the best choice by default.

Many folks here have been quick to point out how "all of this could have been avoided", well...in "real life" things don't always follow the "letter of the law" and I think a good cop will nearly always look at the totality of the situation and make the best decision as how to handle it. I can't help but think that going directly to your gun (when faced with a miniature Dachshund) was the BEST that could be done.

If this kind of decision making is any example of the officers normal response process.....then maybe there is a problem. Just saying..........

[frazzled]

If some kid, or an older person like me, was trying to catch the loose animal and bring it back to it's yard, I guess it would be okay to the kid and/or me too?

Methinks, some of y'all are reaching for excuses for an inexcusable act?

I agree. The officer needs to be fired. The chief supporting him needs to be fired. Any legal counsel in teh DA's officer that suports them needs to be fired.
If he's psychotic enough to shoot a creature just more this side of being more dangerous than my daughters stuffed fluiffy bunny, thats "runs" about as fast as a sr. citizen in a wheel chair, then he's someone who is a danger to himself and others. Lets get real here people.


I support LEO's but this is insane.

[seamusTX]

Officer was fired, supervisor facing discipline:

http://cfc.wset.com/external.cfm?p=release" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.digtriad.com/news/local/arti ... 3&catid=57" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.wset.com/news/stories/0709/639426.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[seamusTX]

Well, it happened again.

A family in the Atlanta, Georgia, area was on vacation when they received a phone call saying that their home burglar alarm had been triggered. They called their house-sitter, who was temporarily unavailable. Then they called the police. The house-sitter and the police officer arrived about the same time. They determined that the house had not been broken into. The officer then said he would take a look around. He entered the fenced yard and shot the family's pet black Labrador.

http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/family- ... 01050.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

At least this dog was tall enough to reach the officer's kneecap.

- Jim

[MoJo]

I'm thinking a civil suit to recover damages from the officer/department/city might make the powers that be realize that a buffoon with a badge and gun can hurt them where it hurts the most.