Dog Shot by Police Serving Warrant at Wrong Address, Texas City Refuses to Pay Vet Bill

Opposing Views ^ | 08/16/2013 | By Denise A Justin

[Responsibility2nd]

The City of Leander, Texas, has announced that it will not pay the veterinary bill for a dog who was shot by a Leander Police officer after the police came onto the property of James and Renata Simmons on June 17. When the officers entered, the Simmons’ German Shepherd, Vinny, came running around the side of the house and was shot by one of the officers who felt the dog was a threat to their safety.

It turned out that the officers were trying to execute a warrant at the wrong address in Liberty Hill. Vinny needed extensive veterinary care to save his life and the Simmons, through their attorney, filed a claim with the City of Leander to cover the $1,500 in vet bills.

The City of Leander responded on August 15 that it is denying the claim because the City is not responsible for the officer who shot Vinny in his own yard, KEYE News reports.

The Leander Police Department announced after the shooting that dog-behavior training classes for police officers would be provided to help reduce similar incidents in the future.

The Simmons’ attorney says that he now plans to file a lawsuit against the City and the Leander Police Department on behalf of the family.

Source: KEYE News

[Responsibility2nd]

Today's Cop Shoots Dog Story.....

[molson209]

Where is a good place to buy a Bullet Proof vests for dogs ?

[aomagrat]

The cops are practicing for when they get the OK to start shooting us.

[EEGator]

“Today’s Cop Shoots Dog Story...”

Today’s First Cop Shoots Dog Story...

[I cannot think of a name]

“The City of Leander responded on August 15 that it is denying the claim because the City is not responsible for the officer who shot Vinny in his own yard”

This could just be sloppy reporting, If it is not, I am surprised that all the police unions and organizations aren't totally up in arms. If it is true and it stands, the dog owners can sue the cop directly.

[Kozak]

Sue the City.
Sue the Cop
Sue the Mayor
Sue the Chief of Police.

” Not Responsible”.
Bullshit.

[MarineBrat]

...because the City is not responsible for the officer who shot Vinny...

Well then... this sounds like an invitation to sue the cop directly.

[Wings-n-Wind]

They would prefer to pay attorneys and punitive damages 2x--3x--5x...
....instead of paying 1x for the veterinarian--

Reall-l-l-l-y smart..... yup...
Verrrrry intelligent...

Some day...
Some dog...
Somewhere....
....Will win one of these sad encounters...

JMO...
Just say'n...

[PowderMonkey]

"The Simmons’ attorney says that he now plans to file a lawsuit against the City and the Leander Police Department on behalf of the family."

Leander is about to discover it would have been far, far cheaper to simply have had the Chief of Police call on the family with an apology, and a cheque for $1,500. Over and done with.

[mylife]

http://www.rayallen.com/product/ballistic_armor/Canine_Protection?gclid=CID8-qCigrkCFZOk4AodySEAsg

[E. Pluribus Unum]

It sounds like the city is saying the cop is personally liable and to go after him personally. Works for me.

[BCW]

He will win this suit...as a former trooper - you have the RESPONSIBILITY to get the correct address - if uncertain - you have to do drive by and other forms of confirmation - obviously this police officer didn’t do it. Just because he is wearing the badge doesn’t excuse him from hiding behind LE in general...incidents like this prove that lowering standards and low pay is not producing police officers - but tragedies - and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better - I’ve meet too many officers that have the “deer in the headlights” look and too many seasoned officers that just do not want to get involved...not good!

[TomGuy]

the officers were trying to execute a warrant at the wrong address

This happens way too many times. It seems that we read similar stories on a weekly basis -- wrong address, dead dog or dead resident -- oops, sorry, tough luck.

Maybe, cities need to have literacy tests to make sure their police can read warrants and maps and compasses and GPS.

==

That should be a costly dead dog for the city. The owner should sue them for incompetence and a few $million.

[Texan5]

Well, if the city won’t pay, sue the f’in idiot who did the shooting-the loss of money will bite him harder anyway-actions need to have consequences...

[NonValueAdded]

$1,500??? Given what friends have told me of their vet bills, that is remarkably cheap for the extensive work reported.

[Charles Martel]

The Leander Police Department announced after the shooting that dog-behavior training classes for police officers would be provided to help reduce similar incidents in the future.

Yeah, they might also look into tightening up their address verification process, too. Hell, there may have been no dog at all at the correct house.

I'm betting this wasn't an understandable mistake, as where a 9 gets inverted and reads as a 6.

[ScottinVA]

Where is a good place to buy a Bullet Proof vests for dogs ?

THAT, my FRiend, is a very good question!!!

[TomGuy]

“The City of Leander responded on August 15 that it is denying the claim because the City is not responsible for the officer who shot Vinny in his own yard”

Just because the City claims they are not responsible does not relieve them of the responsibility. If the officer was 'on duty' and working for the city, that makes the city liable.

[Pajamajan]

Outrageous! All they were asking for, was the vet bill. Hope they sue the crap out of everybody now.

[Durus]

I know the name of the dog, it’s owners, and their address. I do not the name of the cop that shot the dog, the name of the police chief that the cops reports too, and the name of the spokesperson that made the statement. I wonder why that is?