Posted on 01/17/2013 8:52:54 PM PST by Altariel
Protecting Your Dog Do you include your dog in your home-defense plan? by Sheriff Jim Wilson
January 08, 2013
From time to time we see reports of police shooting a dog in the course of responding to a call for assistance or while executing a warrant for search or arrest. Without a doubt, some of these incidents may be the result of poor training or the lack of proper planning on the part of law enforcement. However, that is of little comfort to the citizen when his family pet has been destroyed. With some thought, planning, and training, this kind of tragedy can often be avoided.
Having a family dog should be viewed as a commitment on the part of the dog owner. Besides proper feeding and regular vet care, the dog also needs basic obedience training. The animal should be taught to come on command, as well as to sit and to stay. Your dog should understand that “No” means that he is to stop what he is doing and pay attention to you. In short, you should be able to control your dog whether it is loose, or on a leash. This sort of training is surprisingly effective and inexpensive. The local pet store or your vet can direct you to trainers who can educate both you and your dog.
Allowing a dog to run loose in the neighborhood is not only a way to make enemies of all of your neighbors, it is also virtually a guarantee that the dog will come to the attention of the authorities. If the animal is not in a fenced enclosure, it should be on a leash and under your control. Training and controlling your pet will go a long way towards keeping it safe, not to mention how much your neighbors will appreciate you.
Sadly, the police can’t look at a dog and determine that it is harmless anymore than they can tell the good guys from the bad guys simply by looking at them. However, dealing with family pets ought to be part of every policeman’s training. And every tactical unit should develop plans for neutralizing a dog without harming it, if at all possible. Pet owners in a community might even consider opening a dialog with local law enforcement to address these issues and help develop this training.
We talk about the importance of having a plan for protecting your family. The family dog is a valuable part of most families and deserves protection as well. The solution is planning and training. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
“closed up in a bedroom/bathroom or other side room”
I don’t think so. I have never heard of a dog secured in another room getting shot.
I have mostly heard of dogs being loose in the home or yard, where they rightfully belong. Often the LEO arrives unexpected at the wrong home. I am not disputing the overreaction of the LEO. I am simply saying that since I know they have a tendency to overreact I will be taking precautions such as securing my dogs in another closed room before anyone enters my house, or greeting the LEO outside my home with my dogs inside. Asking them to give me a moment to secure the dogs if they come in, etc.
I don’t want any possibility of overreaction.
I will use your rape analogy as it is a good one. I would advise my daughter to take precautions to avoid a situation where she could be raped - leaving drinks unattended, walking alone at night, going to a strange man’s home alone, etc. That is not to say that I would in any way excuse a rapist, but I know they are out there.
Clearly you did not even done a search of Free Republic to educate yourself on the subject:
Police shoot dog in bathroom:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2541284/posts
This dog was killed in the owner’s bedroom:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2926528/posts
Two links found in less than a minute. Just on Free Republic.
“None shall pass (unless they have treats. And unless my mistress isn’t looking when you give the to me.”
In other words, it does happen.
And the practice is likely to only get worse, so long as the remaining peace officers on the force do not stop and remove their corrupt brethren.
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