[OregonRancher]

Where do they find these animals, and I don't mean the dogs.

[Yet_Again]

Well, let me be the first to say.

“I don’t have all the facts, but the police acted stupidly.”

Oh, and what is a “federal police officer”?

[sodpoodle]

By keeping his own dog leashed, the officer caused the problem.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_park

A leash can cause a dog to become territorial.

Dog parks where dogs can run unfettered can seem like a good solution for urban dogs, but before embarking on such a project designers should “consider legal ramifications, social behavior of dogs and dog owners, environmental and health issues for dogs and people, and the costs of building, maintaining, and policing dog parks

[darkwing104]

A spokesman for the Anne Arundel County Police Department said no charges will be filed and investigators found no evidence of criminal activity.

Cowards protecting a fellow coward...Same Ol' stuff. different day

[dusttoyou]

The way cops are hot to trot on shooting dogs makes one wonder if the mooselimbs have inflitrated the police forces.

[Sender]

“Unspoken.” (said in my most churchlike voice)

[SES1066]

This is one that is difficult to justify...

There was no threat to human life and it was a fenced-in public area. If, as described, the officer did not allow the dog's handler time to gain control before shooting, then that appears to be a significant failure of judgement. Any ARMED LEO has a higher bar of justification to clear in such a use of a firearm. Given that there is no mention of his dog being a K-9, the presumption is that this was an effort to protect his family pet, if so this was over-reaction in the use of deadly force.

Shake of head and angry wonderment on my part!

[zeugma]

one thing I find to be rather interesting about these (all too common) stories is that cops seem to have no trouble shooting dogs with a single shot, yet they seem to take 50+ to hit a person.

[archy]

STATE OF MARYLAND vs. KEITH ELGIN SHEPHERD

IN THE DISTRICT COURT FOR ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

INFORMATION:

THE STATE'S ATTORNEY, for Anne Arundel County, State of Maryland, informs and charges KEITH ELGIN SHEPHERD with having committed the following offenses on or about 8/2/2010 in Anne Arundel County:

COUNT ONE: ANIMAL CRUELTY

THE STATE'S ATTORNEY INFORMS AND charges that the aforesaid defendant, on or about the aforesaid date, at the Quail Run Community Dog Park, Severn Tree Blvd. and New Disney Road, Severn, Maryland, did inflict unnecessary suffering and pain on an animal, to wit: a Siberian Husky canine. (CR 10-604(a)(3)) (Penalty: $1,000/90 days) (ANIMAL CRUELTY *1-0500)

COUNT TWO: DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM

THE STATE'S ATTORNEY INFORMS AND charges the aforesaid defendant on or about the aforesaid date, at the Quail Run Community Dog Park, Severn Tree Blvd. and New Disney Road, Severn, Maryland, did unlawfully discharge a firearm within 100 yards of a structure commonly used by human beings without the written permission of the owner, occupant, and lessee of the structure. (Anne Arundel Code Section 9-1-601(c)) (Penalty: $1,000/6 months) (DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM)

THE STATE'S ATTORNEY further avers and alleges that the offenses charged hereinabove were committed contrary to the form and Act of Assembly in such cases made and provided and were against the peace, government and dignity of the State of Maryland.