Posted on 06/30/2023 1:27:56 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A Shelbyville family said it’s a miracle their dog is alive after a police officer shot him multiple times.
The sound of gunfire and the emotional aftermath was all caught on surveillance video at the family’s home.
“He literally barked, and he was gunned down,” Chelsey Crawford recalled.
In only a matter of seconds, what started as a night of celebration took a horrific turn. The family dog, 3-year-old Chapo, was shot four times, according to Crawford.
“He took every bullet that that officer let out. He has every bullet inside of him still,” she said.
WATCH: Shelbyville family left with questions after officer shoots dog Crawford told News 2 it’s a miracle that Chapo survived: “Especially a gunshot to the head, and he’s here. My baby is a fighter.”
However, Crawford said her family is traumatized. Now, with her four-legged baby by her side, the Shelbyville woman has a list of questions regarding why this happened.
“I am livid,” she said. “I am beyond livid.”
The Shelbyville Police Department told News 2 that officers were responding to a complaint about kids knocking on doors and ringing doorbells. When they showed up at Crawford’s home just before 4 a.m. on Sunday, June 25, authorities said Chapo aggressively lunged at them.
Crawford has denied that claim, adding, “If he really lunged at you, I’m sure your partner, as your partner is supposed to have your back, she would have shot him too, but she never did. It was just a bark.”
Five kittens found abandoned outside Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Surveillance footage captured audio from the moment Chapo came out the door to when the shots were fired less than 10 seconds later. In the video, you can hear Crawford greet police and then warn of Chapo’s presence.
“He says, ‘Chapo come here,’ and that’s when I say, ‘Hey, hold on just a second, you know, like, my dog,’ and then that’s when it happened, that’s when he started shooting,” Crawford recalled.
The Shelbyville woman described it as a terrifying sight, with her children and friends just feet from the gunfire.
“To shoot like that, in front of civilians, you’re putting your own life in danger, our lives in danger, my children’s lives in danger, because of what? A bark?” Crawford questioned, describing the officer’s actions as reckless.
Chapo has been the family dog since he was a pup. According to Crawford, he is trained to bark when strangers enter their property.
“He’s so loving, he’s so sweet, he would not hurt anybody,” she said.
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Crawford said that police still haven’t reached out with an explanation of why they came to her home, an apology for the shooting, or an offer to help cover Chapo’s vet bills.
“We just want answers, and obviously justice for Chapo, as well,” Crawford stated.
The Shelbyville Police Department’s deputy chief told News 2 authorities have reviewed body camera footage of the incident, calling it an unfortunate situation. However, Crawford still wants to see that video, which News 2 has requested.
Meanwhile, the Crawford family said Chapo’s vet bills have already surpassed $7,000, and that’s before any recommended surgeries. A GoFundMe account has been set up to help with the medical costs.
There is no place in HELL hot enough for police that shoot peoples dogs for no reason.
Note: this is a cut and paste job with other headlines inside. The five kittens mentioned have NOTHING to do with the shooting.
Seems like it happens everyday.
C’mon, you know they are accomplices.
This may be the worst downer story of the day——let us hope.
I am surprised that dog owners don’t hunt their sorry asses down.
The dog looks like a pit bull in the picture. But if they are in their own home, and the story is as they describe it, this was a very bad shoot.
Felony reckless endangerment involving the use of a firearm, 5 years General Population
Protocol for officers shooting at an armed, aggressive suspect is to continue shooting until the threat is stopped.
How many shots did the dog fire? If an out of control dog then the officers have to protect people in danger including themselves, but who was in danger? The danger of hearing a barking dog?
Stories I’ve seen said if police are running to approach someone they have adrenaline pumping and may be out of breath and this may affect their actions.
As “...Police shootings are usually high-stress situations where adrenaline takes over an officer’s response...”
Chapo is also the handle of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman the notorious drug dealer imprisoned at ADX Super Max in Colorado.
Coincidence?
There is a picture of the dog laying belly up with a kid.
Right. That is why police shoot so many peoples dogs, even responding to the wrong address.
The Shelbyville woman described it as a terrifying sight, with her children and friends just feet from the gunfire.
At 4am? something isn’t right.
Happens far too often. Even recently police have left their own K9’s in locked cars and had them die. Some police should be kept away from animals.
“Any police department (or university faculty, or military unit, etc.) is only as good as the worst psycho they tolerate.” ~ H/T RedStateRocker
Only 8 Posts till the “Pit Bull” reference. I’m actually surprised it took that long.
(not saying that You blamed it on being a Pit Bull.)
Payback could really, really suck.
If that were my dog?
Grrrrrrr
“Five kittens found abandoned outside Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Surveillance footage captured audio from the moment Chapo came out the door to when the shots were fired less than 10 seconds later. In the video, you can hear Crawford greet police and then warn of Chapo’s presence.”
Who writes this crap.
I don’t think the breed has been confirmed.
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