Posted on 06/16/2009 11:04:00 AM PDT by marktwain
"Killer" the miniature dachshund shot by a police officer. (Richmond-Times Dispatch)Police in Danville, Virginia are defending the fatal shooting and killing of an 11 year-old miniature dachshund, claiming that the police officer who shot the 12-pound dog, acted reasonably and in self-defense.
"Shooting a dog which is actively presenting a threat to an officer is within the department's policy," states a press release issued by Danville Police Chief Phillip Broadfoot.
The diminutive dog, who had the ironic name of "Killer", was known as a "sweet, mild-mannered dog," reports the Richmond-Times Dispatch.
"He just kind of walked up and down the neighborhood and didn't bother anybody," said neighbor Jenine Edmunds. "He was just a little house dog."
Killer and his family --- Tawalin Harper, his wife and two kids --- live on a quiet cul-de sac. "He was the security guard around here," Harper said, explaining that Killer would bark whenever a strange car entered the cul-de-sac.
How did the shooting happen?
Earlier this week, a police officer pulled into the cul-de-sac to serve two warrants to a neighbor. As the officer --- whose name the police department is refusing to release --- returned to his car, "he was surprised by a growling dog running through the yard directly at him from the rear, leaving him with just seconds to consider his options," reads the police statement.
Police Chief Broadstreet said the officer's options in that instance were to run to the squad car, distract the dog, or use pepper spray, his baton or his firearm.
After Killer, allegedly "lunged at the officer and attacked him," the officer decided to draw his gun and shoot the aging 12-pound mini dachshund. Apparently, the officer feared great bodily harm --- perhaps to his ankles.
Harper's children, who were inside the house, heard the gunshot and called their father, who raced home to find Killer laying on the ground "with his guts hanging out.“
According to NBC4i, the officer leaned against his patrol car, smoking a cigarette. He refused to give Harper his name and badge number and said "he had to shoot the dog because he was barking at him."
When the officer's supervisor arrived on the scene, the supervisor/lieutenant was very sorry. "“He kept apologizing," recalls Harper. "And he said I know apologizing can’t bring the dog back, but I just don’t know what to say.“
The Harpers remain devastated at the loss of the dog they have had and loved for 11 years. "He was a family member," says a bewildered and saddened Harper. "They took a family member away."
you don't think a dog of any size could inflict harm upon you or another person?
you know what i think of when i see a charging dog? Kujo (rabies). you fell like going through a rabies series simply because you didn't want to shoot little Fido?
well, in my experience, i have seen numerous people (cops and otherwise) sustain injuries by dogs that just looked oh so sweet.
“Twelve pound dogs with four inch legs don’t scare me and shouldn’t scare a cop. If this dog does scare him I wonder how much good he would be breaking up a bar fight.”
Lets hope a 20-30lb toddler never has a tantrum anywhere near this cop, he might have to pull the shotgun out of the back of the cruiser to deal with the situation.
Freegards
What does "domestication" have to do with the possibility of injury to the cop? Are you deliberately avoiding the fact this particular dog would be LESS dangerous to a cop than a bee, owing to the fact it would be much easier to avoid injury?
As I implied earlier, applying "department policy" to THIS dog is as reckless and intellectually offensive as applying the "zero drug tolerance" policy to a kid's asthma inhaler.
Defense of such stupidity is antithetical to the American concept of freedom.
Sorry, your novel definition of malpractice is as self-serving as Al Sharpton's definition of racism.
i have stated my case as to what i think of the officer's actions as well as the law of the land. this is not some silly 'zero tolerance' policy.
and the bee argument is just silly. i will not sit here and debate 'what if' scenarios with you all day.
Malpratice (n) - illegal, unethical, or negligent professional conduct.
Actually I relish the opportunity to visit the same feelings onto the officer that he caused on the family. His kids’ tears and sadness will be on his hands. That’s not anger. That’s justice.
As close as the dog was I doubt it could have launched itself and clamped down on my neck without backing up and getting a run. I might have had to let my wife shoot it if it did. Then again I wasn’t dealing with a 12 lb. mini-dachshund like “Killer”. Maybe I should have shot it anyway just to prove what a big strong brave man I am.
I'm suggesting that an anecdote here is just as valid as any other data point you include in your personal assessment of how the universe works.
Yeah, that must be it...
Life is so much easier when you only think hard enough to confirm your own presuppositions, isn't it?
You like laws. How about the "law of identity?" "A = A." Such a dog is not a credible threat by definition.
Would you like someone to "prove" the sky is blue now?
is this dog capable of transmitting rabies to a human?
I think someone studiously ignoring this particular "dog" presented less real threat than a bee, and repeatedly hiding behind "policy" is entirely capable of changing that excuse to "I was just following orders," in other circumstances.
Certainly such a person would choose to destroy an innocent citizen through unjust prosecution, if that were the only alternative to admitting a career ending error.
Kujo?
If the article stated that a 12 pound wiener dog killed 10,000 people my experience would over ride the BS. What good is it to get older if you learn nothing from the experience? Finally there are no “facts” in this article to attest to the cop’s level of honesty.
Do you really think this cop would tell the truth about what happened or cover his ass? We both know the answer to this question.
It would seem "malpractice" is NOT restricted to that which is "illegal," as you asserted earlier. Seems you've proven my point that your usage was faulty.
you really are a piece of work. malpractice infers that the action taken can open you up to either civil or criminal litigation.
this officer's actions open him up to neither.
keep typing though. maybe at some point you'll make a point that doesn't suck.
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