Officer accused of shooting dog, then lying about it

Newsday ^ | 2.17.05

[ambrose]

Officer accused of shooting dog, then lying about it

February 17, 2005, 11:42 AM EST

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. -- An off-duty police officer intentionally shot a dog during a deer hunt and then lied to a grand jury about what happened, authorities alleged.

Craig Cummings, 34, an 11-year police veteran, was arraigned Wednesday on felony charges of perjury, criminal contempt, criminal mischief, cruelty to animals and shooting within 500 feet of a dwelling.

Cummings was placed on administrative leave last month but has now been suspended without pay, police said. He pleaded innocent and was released on his own recognizance.

Cummings was hunting with two others Nov. 30 on property owned by a friend's family a few miles outside this lake-side city of 11,000 in western New York.

Cummings told authorities, and later a grand jury, that he shot at two deer running in the woods, then saw an injured dog running toward a house nearby. But prosecutors said he fired in the direction of the house and intentionally shot the dog, an American mastiff named Angel who later died.

[Red Badger]

If you lie about dogs you get fleeced.....

[cripplecreek]

Last year a new local cop maced my Jack Russel in my yard. I was mad but I doub't it will happen again. However I doub't that cop will return.

[BerniesFriend]

Local police thank the invaluable assistance of Lt. Columbo in breaking this cover-up. The role of the policeman was played by William Shatner.

[ambrose]

Just one more thing...

[BerniesFriend]

"Yes..what is it NOW Lt.?".......

[ambrose]

Good news:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0007CNY4K/qid=1108664556/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-8903009-2261527?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846

[green pastures]

From the article: "The dog's owner, Neil Kovar, said he hoped the case raises public awareness about the dangers of hunting in areas that are under development."

???

Shouldn't that read more along the lines of "he hoped the case raises public awareness about the dangers of living in areas where hunters have underdeveloped brains?"

Or "he hoped the case raises public awareness about the dangers of doing something incredibly stupid and cruel when hunting?"

[Graycliff]

Why?

[Graycliff]

Wonder why the dog was running lose?

Right now in TX it's calving season. If a rancher sees a dog running lose on their property, i can assure you it's a dead dog.

[cripplecreek]

Because the cop ignored the sign and the doorbell at the gate and all 10 lbs of my dog ran out there barking.

Ive long since forgiven the cop because he was new but it was his own fault.

[Graycliff]

Sorry but i had to ask.

I spent 28 yrs with the Sheriffs dept. I never had to OC a canine. Wish i could say the same for people.

Never had a Jack Russell, but i always admired their spirit.
Around here they make excellent squirrel dogs.

[cripplecreek]

Understood. This was a cop who was new to the area and running an errand for the police chief. The rest of the officers know my dogs and never have a problem. This guy was an inner city Detroit cop who moved to a town of 200 people and didn't know how to behave.


I never thought about using the dog for squirrels but it makes sense. He does alert on a tree just like a coon hound.