Police kill dog while stopping at wrong house on alarm call

Milwaukee Sentinel Journal ^ | April 30, 2004 | REID J. EPSTEIN

[decimon]

Muskego - Police officers responding to a burglar alarm at the wrong house shot and killed a 100-pound family dog that bounded toward them, the dog's owner said Friday. Muskego

At his mother's home Tuesday afternoon, Jacob Davida was working on his computer when he heard a knock at the front door.

With Bongo, the family's Mastiff, St. Bernard and German shepherd mix at his side, Davida opened the door to find police officers with guns drawn.

As usual, Bongo, 9, was without a leash because he didn't run off and never harmed anyone, Davida said. Bongo, with golden fur and a block-shaped head, was best friend to Davida and his four siblings. But on this day, the dog's inquisitive nature marked his downfall.

"My dog ran up from behind me toward the cop because he's a curious dog," said Davida, 24, of Madison. "I was screaming at the top of my lungs for them to stop shooting, for them to stop."

But his screams went for naught. The dog's days of walks in the park and canoe trips ended with a shot through his neck, Davida said.

"The cop just started shooting," he said. "The first bullet hit the ground close to me. The second shot hit the driveway. Then he shot and killed my dog right in front of me."

After shooting Bongo, Davida said, police officers told him that they were at his house to investigate a burglar alarm. The house, west of Big Muskego Lake, has no such alarm.

"They put that over the radio, and it came back that they had the wrong address," Davida said. "It turned out they were at the wrong place. Most of the cops left at that point to check out the actual burglary."

Muskego police Sgt. David Constantineau confirmed Friday that officers shot a dog Tuesday afternoon but said he would not release any details.

"It's under investigation," he said.

Davida finally went back to his computer programming job in Madison on Friday, but said the horror of watching his dog's death left him stricken.

"Retelling the story, I kind of shake," Davida said. "I had to break the news to each of my family members. I can't get the scene out of my head. It just plays over and over."

Bongo is to be buried on a farm in Fall River in Columbia County owned by Davida's sister and her husband.

As it turned out, the alarm came from the next-door neighbor's house. The neighbor, Robert Anderson, said nothing was taken, but the back and garage doors were left open.

To make matters worse, Davida watched the would-be burglar escape but, terrified after seeing his dog shot, didn't say anything to police.

"I saw the guy leave while the cops were interrogating me," he said. "I just assumed it was another police officer."

[King Prout]

the shooter must do personal and humiliating penance.
nothing else is just.

[King Prout]

JD ping

[newsgatherer]

sad

[Steely Tom]

Great town.

While on their way to catch some criminals, the cops will stop off at your house and shoot your dog! But hey, nothing's too good for the taxpayers of Muskego!

(steely)

[jaykay]

Poor dog.

Mr. Davida soon to be quite wealthy.

[Mr. Mojo]

"The first bullet hit the ground close to me. The second shot hit the driveway. Then he shot and killed my dog right in front of me."

Pathetic shooting......and shooting that could've easily killed the innocent homeowner.

[Servant of the 9]

The cop would just as readily shot the mans teenage son if he had run up instead of the dog.

These people need to be forced into a new line of work.

So9

[Tijeras_Slim]

What kind of burglar ANSWERS the door and BRINGS his dog along on the job?

[cripplecreek]

Our local cop maced my dog when he came to take a report on the wifes stolen bike. We all know how deadly those jack russel terriers are.

[eastforker]

I am adding a new phrase instead of "just damn" this article deserves" this just sux"

[Oztrich Boy]

OK. Time for a change in policy.

From now on every time this happens, the civilian gets to shoot a police dog of his choice.

[GBA]

What a sad story. Not everyone is lucky enough to experience this level of connection with their animals, but this dog clearly was a member of the family. For instance, people constantly call me "Dad" for my two dogs or call them "my kids". I know that they are dogs, but that doesn't lessen their value to me nor their positive impact on my life.

I hope the trigger happy cop is severely prosecuted for causing such pain and suffering. That person is a dangerously reckless individual who should NOT be allow to carry a firearm, let alone be shooting several times before finally killing the family dog in what sounds like a neighborhood.

[eastforker]

You have a Jack Russell Terrorist also? One of the smartest breeds I have ever seen.

[coloradan]

Sorry, no can do. The life of a police dog is worth about the same as the life of a peasant. Maybe a few peasants. Certianly a lot more than that of a peasant dog.

[decimon]

Is it in their training to take no chances with dogs? There has to be some better procedure than this.

[Lion Den Dan]

the civilian gets to shoot a police dog of his choice. <<<

Revenge on a police dog will not help you and only destroys a good dog. Had this situation taken place at my home, I or one or more cops or perhaps all of us would have lain by my dog to greet eternity.

[eastforker]

Lately what I have seen, most metro cops are a bunch of girly men. Thanks to affirmative action and the lowering of test scores for admission.

[silverdog]

1) why would anybody mace a little terrier? was it trying to pee on his leg or something?
2) bumper sticker: Jack Russell terriers -- they're football-shaped for a reason

[Doe Eyes]

Mr. Davida soon to be quite wealthy.

I think all you can sue for is the replacement cost of the dog. No punitive damages.