Posted on 09/04/2012 11:23:27 AM PDT by Altariel
The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday that it would not be pursuing disciplinary action against a deputy who fatally shot a tethered dog earlier this week.
Richard Woodruff was inside his Spartanburg, S.C. home Monday morning when he heard barking followed by a gunshot. The man rushed outside to check on his 8-year-old shepherd mix, Diamond, who had been playing out front while tethered to the porch railing.
"I ran outside and I see this guy standing over my dog holding a gun," Woodruff told Channel 7 news. "'I said, 'Why did you shoot my dog?' And his response to me was, 'Sir, she tried to bite me.' I said, 'She tried to bite you? She can't go any further to get you!'"
According to Woodruff, the dog was at the limit of her tether and could not advance any further when she was shot by plain-clothed deputy Eric Boutin. "All he had to do was take a couple of steps back and she could not have bitten him," Woodruff said in the Channel 7 interview.
Woodruff also pointed out the "Beware of Dog" sign attached to an oak tree on his lawn. The man states that the deputy parked his car in front of the sign and then walked right past it.
(Excerpt) Read more at examiner.com ...
I wouldn’t be surprised if the deputy *did* read and stopped at the “wrong house” for that reason.
Then, feign surprise and “apologize” to the homeowner for “getting the address wrong”.
When government employees believe they have the right to shoot housedogs, there’s a big problem.
When their superiors defend them and their departments rally around them, there’s a bigger problem.
I agree that tethering is a poor method to secure a dog / allow a dog to play.
However, it makes the dog’s shooting all the crueler.
One of my dogs I found on the street. I believe he was tethered, and likely escaped from it somehow allowing me to find him, or him, me. I ascertained this after noticing shortly after taking him in that after walks when I’d drop the leash in the yard or driveway upon returning he’d stop as if frozen, unable to move. I keep walking but he doesn’t. He’ll just stand there wagging his tail hoping to be “released” from captivity. I walk back and grab the leash and he resumes walking. It’s been 4 1/2 years and he will go through this routine every time. His memories of being chained up is the only explanation I have for his behavior.
He should have gone home at the beginning of his shift.
Another brilliant cop killing dogs that others are unwilling to kill....
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