The taxpayers owed the damages. So no harm no foul.
I have to say, I didn't research this story thoroughly; I just assumed the County had to pay; maybe another FReeper really knows the story.
That said, how on earth do you rationalize that the taxpayer should by rights have footed the bill? Those idiot pet-killer cops should have paid out of their pockets and have been sentenced to a year of community service cleaning the elephant and gorilla pens at the National Zoo.