Dog shot by officer was of gentle breed, kennel club says

Morning Journal ^ | 06/08/2005 | DALE W. HLAVES

[Diana in Wisconsin]

So. Who do I rail against on this one?

A Bad Cop?
The Lab? (I have two. Fat chance.)
Dumb and/or irresponsible Pet Owners?

...Or Mr. Mean for posting this? ;)

[Servant of the 9]

The couple said their dog did not advance on the officer, while Arce said the dog acted ''aggressively'' and was ''extremely vicious and menacing."

If he actually fired on a dog that was not advancing, he's in the wrong line of work.

So9

[blau993]

This is a very troubling story. As a friend to two Labs (whether I own them or they own me is debatable), I would have a great deal of difficulty holding myself back if some cop did this. Of course, they will bark, as will any good dog. But the tails are always wagging as they do it, and you have to be a real a**hole to feel threatened by a Lab.

[Mr. Mojo]

The cop's either a wuss or trigger-happy.

...but most likely both.

[mountn man]

What a whimp. Feeling threatened from a Black Lab. Next he'll draw down on someone who gives him a hard stare.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

Agree with you. I'd be worried about this cop approaching anybody with honey-blonde hair!

[elli1]

Nala had been secured to a tree in the back yard of Candelario and Tolento's property when the police used the couple's yard to surround a home.

Apparently the dog did not leave his yard.

[stinkerpot65]

It's easy to judge when you weren't there to see what happened. Interesting how people value a dog over a human being.

[Gabz]

I am usually on the side of the cops in situations like this - but not this time............. I can't blame the dog (I've got 2 lab mixes) and the statement in the article says the dog was tied while the police were there looking for a perp - so I can't blame the owners either.

[Panzerfaust]

I've owned labs most of my life. One of my female Labs bit my good friend right in the face, and she meant it. He went up and started petting her while she was eating and she turned around and nailed him but good. Mind you, this was a beloved family pet that had been raised around four kids. At the end of the day, a dog is an animal and can act accordingly.

A Lab that was a stray and was found starving (as this one in the news story was) is not the same as a coddled family pet raised from a pup. I'm not saying the cop was right, but this was probably not your typical AKC Lab.

I would have given the dog a sound butt-stroke with the shotgun, not shot it, but some people are really afraid of dogs.

[Hoodlum91]

A black Lab saved me from serious harm as a toddler. Jumped between me and the corner of the brick fireplace as I fell.

However, also had a yellow lab (a stray) try to lunge at me and my siblings through our plate glass window. Had the gun been available, that would have been the last leap that dog took.

[DGray]

Your friend must have been very ignorant of dog behavior to disturb one while it was eating. Even the sweetest dog will feel threatened if their space is invaded at mealtime.

[DGray]

I have seen one or two weird cases of dog-aggression in labs, but I've never met a lab who could be described as people aggressive in any way, shape or form. Unless you mess with them while they're eating, of course! ;)

[Slings and Arrows]

Just insane.

[elmer fudd]

How is this valuing a dog over a human being? The human was never at risk. There was a chained up labrador in her back yard. The cop shot it with a little boy standing nearby.

If my dog and daughter were in the yard and I heard a gunshot in their vicinity, well, let's just say I'd be in the yard in a flash and the officer would be seriously outgunned.

[Red Sea Swimmer]

Labradors are used by the blind as guide dogs in many western countries. They are noted for their friendliness, loyalty and intelligence. I'm sure the police officer was under pressure and regrets his decision.

[Lessismore]

A neighbor's Black Lab bit me when I was a kid.

[sinkspur]

This is a case of hot-dog cop. He should be shunned by his fellow officers.

[Red Sea Swimmer]

Dogs, like people, need to have their boundaries respected.