Police encounters are often deadly for dogs

pioneer press ^ | 7-13-14 | Sue Manning

[TurboZamboni]

LOS ANGELES -- The majority of shootings in most U.S. police departments involve animals, usually dogs, and experts say a new series of videos can help change often quick-trigger decisions fueled by fear.

"There will be times when police need to defend themselves because they are being attacked by a dog and don't have a choice, but that is the minority of cases," said Brian Kilcommons, a Southbury, Conn., dog behaviorist and trainer. He is featured in the five-part series that teaches officers to detect the warning signs of an aggressive dog and how to avoid using lethal force.

Efforts to change the way officers approach animals have emerged as dogs have become a central part of the American family and lawsuits have chipped away at the coffers of law enforcement agencies.

Ladelle Arman rides family dog Mellow in summer 2013. Mellow and Laylo, right, were fatally shot by St. Paul police executing a search warrant on July 9, 2014, inside the family's home on Maryland Avenue. (Photo courtesy Camille Perry)

The issue gained prominence in St. Paul last week when a police SWAT team member fatally shot two dogs while executing a search warrant.

A police spokesman said the officer believed the dogs were displaying aggression and posed a threat; the family said the two pit bulls were sleeping by the front door of their North End home Wednesday morning and merely barked as officers made entry with a battering ram.

[Jack Hydrazine]

Today dogs, tomorrow people.

[Vaquero]

My dogs won’t hurt a fly. My dogs bark(from inside the house) at everyone on the street and anyone who comes to the door. This keeps those who would rob us or do us harm a fair warning and people stay away unless invited in. I Like that.

I would be totally beside myself if they were to get shot by some person while they were NOT running free in the streets. I can’t say what I might do....

[Biggirl]

Not surprised why Americans have been arming up bigtime.

[panaxanax]

“...SWAT team member fatally shot two dogs while executing a search warrant.”

What ever happened to knocking on the door and saying “We have a search warrant and would like to look for _____”? (fill in the blank)

I support LEO’s in most cases, but you come through my door with a battering ram and shoot my dogs then we’re going to have a HUGE effing problem.

[centurion316]

A battering ram? Was the doorbell broken? These days if you have a concealed carry permit, the police are going to raid your house with a full SWAT armed to the teeth in order to serve you a court order to appear to answer for your unpaid traffic ticket. It’s out of hand and we need to demand that politicians put a stop to it.

[Beagle8U]

Step 1) Buy a pit bull

Step 2) Name it Target

There is no step 3)

[LadyBuck]

Tomorrow is here.

These days, our over-militarized, untrained Keystones are shooting adults of any age, teenagers & flash-banging babies in their beds, all in the name of Officer Safety.

[unread]

The purchase of armored vehicles formerly used in anti-terror operations overseas has prompted widespread concern that domestic law enforcement in the United States is becoming increasingly militarized and violent. A recent ACLU investigation into the issue decried the fact that American neighborhoods are turning into warzones as SWAT tactics become more brutal, causing an increase in deaths, injuries and property damage. Back in May, Indiana Police Sergeant Dan Downing admitted that the militarization of domestic law enforcement was partly to deal with returning veterans who are now seen as a homegrown terror threat. A local Fox affiliate reported that the cops were now “armed for war” against such threats.

Reprint from Infowars.com

[Flintlock]

I’m just waiting for the pushback.

Someday, they’ll shoot the wrong dog. One whose master/mistress liked him a LOT more than a jackbooted thug of a cop.

[baddog 219]

Poo Poo has to kill something...Dog, grandfather,baby... doesn't matter.Used to be on the side of their cars.."To Serve And Protect" Now it should read "TO HURT AND KILL"

[Fear The People]

Even tortoises are not safe.

Police shoot 'aggressive' tortoise in self defense

[crusadersoldier]

“often quick-trigger decisions fueled by fear” - BS there is no fear involved. Fact is the dogs are an inconvenience to them and rather then deal with it they simply take the dog out.

[TurboZamboni]

Plus, the tortoise was charged with a felon in possession of body armor.

[puppypusher]

If and when the crap hits the fan Mo militarization of Law Enforcement is going to neutralize a force of dedicated men who have served in some of the biggest crap holes on this planet.

I’d tell that a hole sargeant to bring it on.For a guy who’s a sargeant,he sound more like a bragging rookie.

[Ken H]

“often quick-trigger decisions fueled by fear” - BS there is no fear involved. Fact is the dogs are an inconvenience to them and rather then deal with it they simply take the dog out.

Agree. I'd even take it a step further. It is calculated to intimidate the public. Show them who's boss.