[PLMerite]

“In a sane world, decent men and women would humanely put down sick or injured wildlife without getting a dozen levels of “official clearance” to do so.”

Probably had to get permission to discharge his duty weapon. These days CYA is Job #1.

[Blue Jays]

"...permission to discharge duty weapon..."

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Oh, I have witnessed that scenario firsthand, too.
Same situation, a young deer seriously messed-up from a vehicle crash.
Officer had to radio-in to get clearances from a sergeant and a lieutenant to shoot a deer 3-feet away twisting in the underbrush.
It was heartbreaking the officer was not given trust to make a correct decision and then notify superiors. For goodness sake, it was a humanitarian task.