Somebody needs to start suing these police departments for millions in punitive damages every time a dog is shot. Maybe then they will begin to change their training.
suing these police departments
Sue them individually!
A lawsuit would be a waste of money. The courts uniformly support the cop, and at MOST, the family gets the cost of the dog, a few hundred bucks.
Cops shoot dogs because they enjoy the feeling of power that comes with intimidation, and there is no downside to them for doing so.
Not all cops shoot dogs for the power trip, but there is no remedy under the law. Legislators could write laws that result in loss of employment, or other remedies more substantial than exist today. I suspect the courts would interpret those laws, if they existed, in a way that favored the power abusers, but that's the breaks.
There is no situation that is improved by calling the cops.