Posted on 04/02/2002 2:23:39 PM PST by aomagrat
(Anderson SC-AP) April 2, 2002 - Officials say an Anderson County Sheriff's deputy fatally shot a police dog when he was chasing a suspect through the woods.
Sheriff's Captain John Skipper says deputy Josh Payne was trying to put his gun back in its holster when he shot Duchess last weekend. The dog had been with the department for more than a year.
Skipper says Payne was holding a flashlight on the suspect with one hand and the dog's leash and the gun with his other hand. Police say the dog jumped and caused the deputy to squeeze the trigger.
I've used that excuse before under different, but still potentially lethal, circumstances....
Gee - I feel safer already.
What the devil was his finger doing on the trigger??? Back to desk duty for you, nitwit.
Where I come from, this is called a NEGLIGENT DISCHARGE. There is no such thing as an "accident."
Oh, that's right, he shot it by 'accident*'! They shoot our dogs on purpose.
*There is no such thing as an 'accidental discharge'. Its negligent handling by the user. He should be relieved of the weapon.
If a civilian had shot the dog, even by accident, they would be doing jail time.
As far as the law is concerned, attacking a police dog is considered exactly the same as if you attacked a human officer.
If you harm a police dog, you will be charged with assaulting an officer.
In all fairness, the officer who shot the police dog should be treated as if his accidental gun discharge had struck a fellow officer.
Stay Safe !
No, it wasn't an "accident." It was an act of negligence. Guns don't "accidentally" go off. They go off in response to someone squeezing the trigger. When you unintentionally squeeze the trigger, this is not an "accident."
If you can't understand these simple concepts, then I recommend that you avoid firearms; perhaps you don't have the responsibility to handle one.
He shot the dog accidentally. Negligence is meaningless to whether it was an accident. I can toss a cigarette into a wastebasket and burn down a school. It's still an accident. An accident caused by negligence.
I believe the guy was negligent too. Surprised?
accident:an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance b : lack of intention or necessity
Negligent: marked by or given to neglect especially habitually or culpably : not taking prudent care
A person can cause an accident through negligence. He didn't turn the gun on the dog and kill it. That's why he won't be charged for murdering an "officer".
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