Alameda police dog bites cop, is shot to death

SFGate ^

[Chet 99]

(12-17) 09:44 PST ALAMEDA -- An Alameda police dog trying to flush out a burglary suspect was shot and killed by an officer today after the dog attacked the officer, a police spokesman said.

Billy, a Belgian Malinois, and his handler were among those responding to a burglary at the Coast Guard Recruiting Center at 660 Central Ave. shortly before 6:15 a.m., police Lt. Bill Scott said.

Billy bit another officer assisting on the call. The dog did not let go when his handler ordered him to do so, and the officer being bitten shot him to death, Scott said.

[jagusafr]

“That’s three”.

Colonel, USAFR

[gundog]

...a Belgian Malinois...

Bad doggies. But at least they're shooting their own dogs, for a change.

[divine_moment_of_facts]

Sad, but they did the right thing.

[CholeraJoe]

If this had been a Military Working Dog, the officer would have been charged with destruction of Government Property and had his career destroyed.

[jveritas]

Very sad about the death of the dog and very cowardly from the policeman but now we should be used to the fact that the Police have many cowards and thugs in their ranks. Why didn’t he fire a shot in the air and that would have scared the dog.

[B Knotts]

Why didn’t he fire a shot in the air and that would have scared the dog.

Because that would be irresponsible, and would endanger human beings.

[Joe 6-pack]

"If this had been a Military Working Dog, the officer would have been charged with destruction of Government Property and had his career destroyed."

I have an 80 lb. Tervuren which is simply the shaggy, long-haired hippy version of the crew-cut Malinois. His bite pressure is marginal compared to my old 115 lb. German Shepherd, but his canines are almost 1/3 again longer...

[Chet 99]

It seems that the dog latched on to the cop. All the cop had to do was sit still and chill until the handler coaxed the dog off. This cop is one cowardly son of a bitch.

[Between the Lines]

An attack dog that will not listen to it's handler needs to be put down.

[editor-surveyor]

"Why didn’t he fire a shot in the air and that would have scared the dog."

Firing into the air is dangerous, and any cop that would do it should be terminated. Maybe he should have tazed the pooch? (don't taze me massa)

[jveritas]

No he did not do the right thing. If a policeman cannot find a way to separate himself from a biting dog then he should not be a policeman. He could have tased the dog and no need to kill him. Many policemen are cowardly thugs who are trigger happy and they are giving bad reputation to the police all over the country.

[SJSAMPLE]

Yes.
Always a good idea to fire a shot into the air.
The bullet goes to heaven and stays there.

Seriously.
This has happened a few times that I can recall.
If a dog attacked you (really attacked, like police dogs are trained to do), would you shoot it?

[Arkansas Toothpick]

Those of you attacking the officer for shooting the dog are just plain wrong. He had to do what was needed in the circumstance. Don’t let your blind love for animals make you reach an emotional, and unwise, conclusion.

[jveritas]

The dog does not need to be put down. The policeman could have tased him without the need to kill him. The policeman who shot the dog is a cowardly thug and unfortunately there are many of them among the Police all over the nation and are giving the Police a very bad reputation.

[Chet 99]

Just another thug with a badge who wanted to use his little Bang Bang toy.

[jveritas]

How about tasing the dog? The Police a a cowardly thug who got scared like all cowards do and shot the dog.

[jveritas]

He did it wrong under the circumstances. He could have tased the dog without the need to kill him. Another police thug and cowardly jerk who got scared. F*** him.

[muawiyah]

Think that one through a second. The dog has his canines sunk into your flesh up to his gums and you taze the dog ~ you also taze yourself!

On the other hand, an out of control biting dog really does need to be put down quickly. I'd go back up the line 5 or 6 generations (if it was registered) and dispose of all the dogs in that breeding pool.

Dogs were made safe to be around through principles worked out back in the days of hunting and gathering. They are ~ foster the good, eat the bad now.

[SJSAMPLE]

I’ve seen tasers work on dogs.
Depends on wether the cop could get to the taser.

Remember, these are dogs that are trained to attack.
If I was attacked by one, I’d shoot with whatever was most handy at the time.