I would rather that, than see them unload their service weapons into the beast because they thought it "might" be dangerous. Care often takes far more effort than disdain, just as civilization takes more effort than tyranny.
For reference, see: Cop shoots cow.
I find that local police are not as creative as state police. Their default mode is to just shoot at it, even if the task is getting a kitten out of a tree or opening a locked car door.