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."
“no he wouldn’t.”
I guess we disagree. Do you really think that if Michael Vick went to this neighborhood, for some reason or another, saw the yapping pup, pulled out a nine and unloaded on the unfortunate canine, that he WOULD NOT GO TO JAIL? Do you really think that?
I had better get a choke collar for my 10lb. Maltese. Ellie can be one mean dog if she does not get her treats!
Idiot.
Hey, if you choose to always believe everything as written, do so. Shall I assume you are an MSM defender?
the leash laws should be followed.
if you shoot a dog who is not presenting an IMMEDIATE threat of physical injury, it's a bad shoot. this dog was presenting that threat so the shooting was justified. what else you got?
http://www.encyclomedia.com/video-early_norm_mcdonald_comedy.html
Your ignorance is profound. My father is a retired Pennsylvania State Trooper. I served as a military police officer for 10 years. I don't hate cops, and I think any cop deserving of the title would abhor the behavior of a uniformed delinquent pulling his sidearm on a 12 pound dog. Professional law enforcers loses respect and authority when they pull stunts like this, and your defense of them further undermines those that give a damn.
Every cop in this community is going to have to bear the stigma of this idiot's actions for years to come.
Why do you hate good cops and want their jobs to be more difficult?
M
And why do you think so many people hate the police? Just for the hell of it?
No. Like most people, I was raised up to admire and trust the police. Real Life taught me differently.
Maybe the police wouldn’t be so hated if they didn’t so often act in a manner worthy of hatred.
I’m beginning to wonder what kind of people are being hired as by our Police departments these days.
LOL well, he would also go to jail if he arrested someone in the neighborhood! ;)
but let's remember this, any dog can break the skin. and any dog can give you rabies. but i am sure no dacshund has EVER given anyone rabies. the cop should have simply held the dog at bay with a stern look. /s
Affirmative action hires. Smart people don’t want to become police and police don’t like smart cops. It’s a mutual divorce that creates a perfect storm of idiocy.
Different people hate police for different reasons, I suspect. It’s a little beyond me tho, to understand why some people paint a broad brush because they’ve had some bad experiences. Perhaps in your life you have had numerous bad experiences with cops. I haven’t. Maybe there’s a reason for that, I don’t know.
If I had numerous bad experiences with cops, I think my first thought would be to look at myself.
All I can think of is that cops these days aren’t getting the training they need. A mad cop is a bad cop.
however, ask your father if he ever second-guessed a cop when he wasn't on-scene. see if he ever made an absolute determination based on one news article. or have you when a soldier was accused of something egregious?
the point is, like it or not, this cop acted within guidelines. but i also said that if this article is to be believed, it was a silly move. but none of us were there, and so many around here swallow these articles as gospel.
Feel better now?
About what?
My comments are based on the story, and what was reported. What do you suggest I and others comment on?
Shall we just make things up outside the report, as we go along?
Shall I assume you are an MSM defender?
Shall we assume the cop did not shoot a miniature dachshund?
Good grief!
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