Posted on 06/21/2013 7:03:06 PM PDT by Altariel
When Rebecka Brown returned home June 5, she noticed a business card stuck in her door.
That card was from Det. Joey Cooper, a deputy with the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office.
“Naturally I called the number immediately to find out why an officer had been here,” she wrote on a Facebook page.
Det. Cooper told her he was there to serve a warrant to her husband for failure to appear in court in relation to a ticket he had received while hunting. She also found out something horrifying.
“He then told me he had to tase my dog.”
When she asked why, Brown says Det. Cooper told her that Merlin, the family’s year-old lab/boxer mix, had attacked him. “I asked him if he was okay… I was in complete shock! He said he was fine, not so much as a scratch on him.”
[Note: Merlin was attached to a 10' lead in the backyard, not roaming freely.]
“He instructed me that the taser did not shock Merlin because only one prong made a connection with him,” she said adding that Det. Cooper told her how to remove the prong. When the call ended, she went to check on her wounded pup. “Merlin wouldn’t let me near him. I could see the prong protruding from his back but but he just cowered and whined,” she said.
After several attempts to coax Merlin over so she could remove the prong, she noticed something strange about his eye. “There was a little blood under the lid of his right eye and the eyeball itself resembled an old rubber party balloon.” After she and a friend removed the prong she noticed his eyeball was ripped open.
Brown said she immediately called Det. Cooper back but got his voicemail. She then called the Sheriff’s Office to report her dog’s injuries. An hour later, she says two deputies showed up to investigate. 
“They asked to see Merlin, so I took them inside to him,” she said. “As soon as he saw them, he cowered to the side, wimpered, and started to visibly shake. The deputy took a step towards him and Merlin started to growl. He was responding to the uniform… I informed the deputy that this is not his normal behavior and that he is responding out of fear. A uniform, just like theirs, had seriously injured him…. he was afraid of another round with that uniform!”
She believes the eye injury was caused by either a flashlight or a nightstick.
Brown’s quest for accountability continued.
I tried to file a formal complaint with the Sheriff’s Department and I was shuffled away. I went to the magistrate to press charges for animal cruelty and I was told that I couldn’t because he is a law enforcement officer!!! So, I went to the district attorneys office to lodge a complaint and get an investigation underway. I was directed to the SBI (State Bureau of Investigation).”
She has also taken to the internet for justice starting a website, a Facebook page and a petition. On the Justice for Merlin Facebook page, Brown has been updating those interested in her “roadblocks” with law enforcement and the justice system, as well as Merlin’s recovery.
After multiple calls to District Attorney Scott Thomas, an internal investigation was finally started. On Wednesday, Brown says she was visited by Sheriff Asa Buck and an internal affairs officer.
Following the meeting she posted:
Both the sheriff and internal affairs feel that the investigation revealed that the deputy is without fault. He stated that he was afraid when he and Merlin met in my back yard and that the Deputy is thankful that he grabbed the taser rather than his firearm. I was further informed that the deputy had every legal right to be on the property and had a right to defend himself. They do not believe that the deputy entered my back yard with the intent of harming Merlin and that Merlin’s injuries are an unfortunate situation. After Merlin is done with all of his vet visits, I am to inform the department and they will see about getting the bills paid.
…
I honestly don’t know how I feel about all this. I’m angry that my dog was hurt. I’m very angry that my dog will never regain full sight in that eye. I’m hurt that my children are affected by this to the point that they tell me they are afraid of cops. I’m angry that the use of tasers on animals is endorsed by our county. The county considers this matter closed.
…
I’ve never known the sheriff to be anything but honorable. I am so confused and hurt.
Begin rant:
Justified? Afraid of a dog that was tied up?
There is not justification for harming an animal if you just get spooked. The deputy, according to Brown, admitted that he didn’t have a scratch on him. So how can this assault be justified?
If it had not been a law enforcement officer, the individual responsible for the injuries to Merlin would be brought up on animal cruelty charges. But because of the incestuous investigation, the perp gets to walk.
The Department shouldn’t have to compensate for the vet bills…the individual who committed the act should be the responsible party. Badges don’t grant extra rights and individuals are responsible for their own actions.
End rant.
Carteret County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Asa Buck
304 Craven Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 504-4800
And I'm AMAZED that you've gotten the responses you have!
I agree with you on NOT tying up a dog!!!
Absolutely correct on every count.
People who are confined will react in the same way, in the same stages.
It’s pretty much universal.
And now for something completely adorable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcgKOcNUvpE
;D
I beg to differ. A dog that's tied up can become tangled in the leash/chain/rope, twisted around the post, tree anchor, bushes etc. A dog that's tied up, unless it's tied up within a fenced area, is vulnerable to passers by, be they animal or human. A dog in a securely fenced environment has a greater degree of protection from both and much less of a chance of hanging himself.
Your “impression” is not equivalent to any of her stated positions.
Back pedal as you will.
I also stand by “your comments” as I re-posted them...verbatim.
We really don’t know if the cop went into the house, he may have. Has happened before, just recently there was a thread here about a dog being shot inside an apartment by a cop that had the wrong place.
Thing is I have seen people responsibly tie dogs out, I have seen people responsibly kennel dogs, and responsibly keep dogs in their home. The key is responsible- I have also seen owners neglect and mistreat dogs horribly in many places even inside their home. I take exception to the idea that “this” is always right and “that” is always wrong. Depends on the situation and we don’t know the situation here. The dog appears to be well cared for so without knowing more about how it is really kept and why I will not judge her for that.
Agree 100%!
I really want a dog again. Maybe next year.
Why wait?
Somewhere, right now, is a little dog with your heart in it...:)
AWESOME!!!!!!!! Congrats, Sal! Welcome, Seven!
With two dogs that need physical restraint when not under direct supervision, it doesn't work.
That reminded me of our blue healer.
I hear this excited barking, alarmed barking coming from the backyard. I look out and see Tasha running in a tight circle around an object, barking, growling...
What the heck is that, a snake? Why is she so excited? I venture out. She can't stop barking, almost pushes me aside as I attempt to view..................the CAT TURD that had her so worked up!
LOL! I wish it had been the age of cell phones and iPads, I only have my memory of that moment, but it was hilarious!
Backpedaling?
How are you doing as far as replying to what I actually wrote, and not what you wish I had written?
So, you have never thrown someone’s words back in their face my saying ... “so what you are saying is” based on your interpretation of what they said?
But as soon as we are settled.... dog. I miss having a Doberman.
Ah yes...the liberal approach to life. We know this lady was away from the house long enough for a deputy to come, tase her dog, possily beat her dog, leave a note and depart without her, or anybody else knowing about it. That's ample time for the dog to have been attakced by feral dogs or abused by neighborhood kids, bit by a snake, hanging and choking itself, or any other myriad of ills that can befall a dog that is tethered and unsupervised.
If she lives in a rural, remote area, a tethered dog is subject to wild and feral animals, and in a suburban or urban area, two legged critters. People may have their reasons for tethering a dog outside without supervision, but ultimately, none of them are ever the best option for the dog. Ever. You may be wary of clear, black and white issues. Me? I'm not afraid of them.
Attempting to change the subject?
Odd, for someone who was convinced he/she had the Moral High Ground earlier in the discussion.
OK
But the crime would be by the kidnapper, not the parent whose kid was playing on the swing.
Welcome, Seven!
:D
How are you coming with your response to what I actually wrote, before you attempted to sidetrack the conversation?
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