Did someone say "dog target"? The Marine Corps uses lots of dog targets. "Dog targets! Raise all dog targets high in the sky!"
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."
Another moron cop. Yet the cop defenders at all costs will be here any minute.
If a CCL holder did this it would likely be considered illegal discharge of a gun. Certainly a prudent person would not want to discharge a gun in a cul de sac with homes surrounding him unless it was unavoidable. Since he had pepper spray why did he not use it?
Just incredible. A pitt-bull, maybe we could talk, but this is utterly nuts.
So much for Tasers, mace or batons. No need for them as long as their sidearms are working, apparently.
Pigs just love killing dogs. He was in great danger. This hero’s name should be publicized so we can honor his bravery in the face of such great danger.
Dachshunds can very protective and territorial. Their bigger version actually went into holes to get rabbits and badgers!!! Powerful little diggers and great lap doggies.
In my home, my miniature’s “courage” was to bark at the postman underneigh the car. Sheeeesh.
But still, 12 lbs??? A threat? Give me a fricken break.
The cop who shot the dog sounds like a 1st class idiot. It seems to me that some cops just like to shoot dogs and will go out of their way to do it. Nothing like trying out the .40 on a very small dog.
Look, if you’ve got to shoot a small dog, shoot a Chihuahua, not a Dachshund.
Sounds (from what does appear to be a biased article, so I have to wonder about the validity of the information, but let’s just assume it is true) like a really unnecessary action.
On the other hand (having nothing to do with defending the cop) if the dog was kept under the owners direct control or inside the house, this would never have happened. Any owner who allows their animal to run loose shares in the responsibility when something happens to said animal. I love my dogs, so they are inside my house or on a leash.
It's unconscionable that an officer would hide behind his badge and "in the line of duty" for shooting this type of dog.
>.lunged at the officer and attacked him,”
OK then he was justified. Should I add the sarcasm tag?
I wanna see anyone defend this.
Trigger happy steroid juiced mad effing cops!
Protect and serve, indeed.
Simple response. Kill all of the officer’s pets.
I would bark at a postman under the car too! Sounds like a crazy postman! ;)
“from what does appear to be a biased article”
Well i would certainly *hope* that the article is biased when a local cop finds it reasonable to smoke a dachshund.
But I guess the officer didn't want all that practice at the range to go to waste.
When I am attacked by Dachshunds I throw a foot in them. It makes the owners mad, but the dog isnt dead and they usually go away.Either that or after seeing the crap kicked out of their dog they pick it up and go put it away.Like they should have done in the first place.
Did someone say "dog target"? The Marine Corps uses lots of dog targets. "Dog targets! Raise all dog targets high in the sky!"
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