Posted on 08/19/2011 8:10:23 PM PDT by Artemis Webb
A federal jury says Chicago law enforcement must pay $330,000 to a family after officers shot their dog during a home raid that turned up no illegal activity.
Thomas Russell, then 18, opened the door to his home in February 2009 to find police officers with their guns drawn. He asked if he could lock up his 9-year-old black labrador, named Lady, before letting the officers inside. The Chicago Tribune describes what happened next:
Police refused the request and came into the house, the lawsuit said. When Lady came loping around the corner with her tail wagging, Officer Richard Antonsen shot the dog, according to the suit, which alleged excessive force, false arrest and illegal seizure for taking the dog's life.
The cops handcuffed Russell and his 16-year-old brother, and eventually charged Russell with obstructing their operation. He was found not guilty. According to NBC, the jury awarded $175,000 to Russell, $85,000 to his little brother, and $35,000 each to the brothers' parents. The officer who shot the dog owes $2,000 in damages, and his supervisor owes $1,000, according to NBC.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Why don’t they get Cesar Milan to train police departments on how to deal with dogs? He did one with mail carriers on one of his episodes.
Ok. How many people can name a time that cops did something for you that would be worth paying them for?
What’s $300K more?
Cook County Taxpayers May Be On Hook For $108 Billion In Debt
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/06/22/cook-county-taxpayers-may-be-on-hook-for-108-billion-in-debt/
How many people that are law abiding citizens, veterans even, feel uncomfortable around cops (TSA, etc). I mean in a way that you think you could be arrested and set up even if you broke no laws. Am I being paranoid or is it to the point we’re already in a police state? I understand it’s been them against the bad guys for ever, but are all citizens now the bad guys?
Look fella, all I’m saying is that they’d find an excuse as to why they shot your dog. If you don’t say anything and the dog comes out, they will shoot it and claim it came out of nowhere and they didn’t know it was there. IF you tell them it’s there and you want to contain it, they will shoot it because they took your statement to imply it could be dangerous.
Seriously, what’s your problem?
No - it's the War on Dogs.
Cops who shoot dogs that are not threatening them are powertrip psychos and should get some slammer time and stringent mental health exams before release.
Look fella, all I’m saying is that they’d find an excuse as to why they shot your dog. If you don’t say anything and the dog comes out, they will shoot it and claim it came out of nowhere and they didn’t know it was there. IF you tell them it’s there and you want to contain it, they will shoot it because they took your statement to imply it could be dangerous. Seriously, what’s your problem?
I have no problem regarding this. I made a statement. You disagree, or want to argue, I can't do anything about that.
Very good!
In cases like this, the officers should be PERSONALLY liable for their actions, rather than the tax payers paying for their malicious acts.
If the officers are personally accountable, I’d bet the farm they wouldn’t be as quick to do suck things. The officer that did this should be selling his house in order to get cash and compensate his victims.
Best would be to have these nationwide, daily, awards come from the Police Unions.
When I was 17 I got pulled over for speeding. Cop noticed I had a case of unopened beer on the back seat.
After he gave me the ticket he said, "You are aware that the drinking age in Maryland is 18, right?" I acknowledged that I was indeed aware of the Maryland drinking age. Hey then told me to drive carefully and then left.
I figure that was probably worth at least a $20 spot. :-)
I don't recall ever reading these types of stories till the late '90s or so.
I don't think I have ever seen a lab when its tail wasn't wagging.
A sign of the pervasive sickness in society - law enforcement folks acting like politicians...
When two of them unprovoked attacked my 20-pound dog and one bit me on the arm, their tails weren't wagging. The owner had them on leashes. He is a big strong guy and they nearly pulled him over. I never saw those dogs doing anything like that before. What is is that makes people think that all labs are always peace and love?
My black lab’s tail always wagged when he was excited or upset or on alert. The tail is not really an indication. If the hairs on the back of a black lab stand up - then you’re in trouble.
Of course, I think this is a terrible story and the stupid cop should never have touched a hair on the head of the poor animal.
You know, if some cops fear pets so much how are we to believe they’d behave well in a truly serious situation?
When my mother called the police once for a minor problem (she always calls the cops, something I cannot control), the cops practically panicked at the sight of my mellow black lab. I had to force the dog into the cellar.
Then when my father died and the cops showed up I tried to throw the poor dog back in the cellar before I got yelled at again and they told me not to worry. They all petted the dog!
I think someone’s suggestion of Cesar Milan having a video or something to train cops would be a great idea.
People are ridiculously scared of black labs. I had one and I couldn’t believe how many people ran at the sight of this dopey, laid-back, silly pet. I think it’s their size and the color. Honestly, people are afraid of BLACK dogs.
Good for security purposes, though.
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