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Family Outraged After Boise Police Officer Shoots and Kills Dog (Barked at Officer)
KTVB ^ | Monday, Oct 21 | Andrea Lutz

Posted on 10/25/2013 5:06:22 PM PDT by nickcarraway

A Boise family is outraged over the death of their 5-year-old dog. Sunday afternoon, a Boise Police officer fired his weapon at the dog, killing it.

For years, Gabrielle Stropkai found companionship in her dog, Kita, calling her a lover and a friend for her son Hayden to grow up with.

“We have kids who run up and pull her tail and grab her by the back of the neck and get in her face and she does nothing but love on them,” said Stropkai.

However, as two Boise patrol officers were investigating a theft that was reported in the area of Woodlawn and 28th Sunday afternoon they felt threatened by Kita.

According to Boise Police spokesman Charles McClure, Kita began running toward them and the officers felt forced to protect themselves.

Neighbors like Bryan Adams were outside at that time and saw it happen.

“She was walking by and went 'ruff ruff' just a couple of little ruffs and that's when she was walking by she didn't jump at him or anything,” explained Adams.

Other witnesses to the incident described the dog as barking and snarling at officers as it approached them.

Stropkai tells KTVB she let Kita outside to use the bathroom and she was in her sight when the officer made an instant decision.

“In about five seconds he pulled his weapon, asked whose dog it was, and shot her in the back of the head,” said Stropkai.

Stropkai explains her two-year-old son Hayden was also witness to the shooting.

“Hayden was outside, about two feet away from me,” said Stropkai's mother, Michelle Pierott. McClure said the two officers were standing in a parking lot when one decided to fire a single shot at the dog when it came within three feet of them.

Kita, a mixed breed, was hit and died at the scene.

“By the time I came out she was down, (I) ran over and looked back and said you just shot her,” said Pierott. “Kita wouldn't have attacked.”

However, the Boise Police Department disagrees. In a statement issued Sunday evening by the department Deputy Chief Pete Ritter had this to say.

"Officers never want to harm an animal. The dog came upon the officers quickly and they felt it was about to bite them. This is a very dog friendly community. Many officers have dogs. We work with dogs. Dogs running loose are a safety risk, for people and for the dogs. This was a very unfortunate situation for everyone involved."

The family believes the officer acted too fast and although an investigation was launched, the biggest worry on their minds is Kita’s six two-week old puppies.

“Now we are going to have to figure out how to keep them alive... without her,” said Pierott. The City of Boise does have a leash ordinance; dog owners are required to keep their dogs on leash, except in specified areas.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; US: Idaho
KEYWORDS: dog; donutwatch; idaho; mixedbreed; moronwithbadge; stupidcoptricks; warriorcops
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To: GeronL
Maybe cops should be better trained to think a bit more first.

That's just it. It's my firm belief that they are trained NOT to think, just to react according to a strict protocol. It's all part of the "death of common sense."

41 posted on 10/25/2013 6:01:37 PM PDT by dr_lew
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To: SoldierDad

Supporting your case?


42 posted on 10/25/2013 6:02:44 PM PDT by Uncle Miltie (If you like the website, you'll love the healthcare!)
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To: nickcarraway
"the back of the head"

Because nothing spells "Self Defense" like a back shooting.

43 posted on 10/25/2013 6:04:02 PM PDT by Uncle Miltie (If you like the website, you'll love the healthcare!)
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To: nickcarraway

sick. just sick.


44 posted on 10/25/2013 6:10:21 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi)
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To: nickcarraway

OK, pardon my confusion.

If the Dog was “running” toward the Officers, how did the Officer manage to hit a fast moving Dog in the back of its head? Did the bullet do a 180 or did the Dog run past them?


45 posted on 10/25/2013 6:11:27 PM PDT by Kickass Conservative (Good news, Federal Funding for my Tagline has been restored. Crisis averted.)
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To: aomagrat

There are very few situations that can’t be made worse by the addition of a cop.

Truism I learned here.


46 posted on 10/25/2013 6:13:15 PM PDT by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
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To: aomagrat

It use to be that law enforcement personnel took active roles in Sunday School and Church. There are still some today quite active in their churches but sadly from my observation there are fewer and fewer that are serving as God fearing role models.


47 posted on 10/25/2013 6:16:43 PM PDT by Maudeen (Proverbs 3:5-6)
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To: Secret Agent Man

Simple solution: neuter the cops.

The others will take pause.


48 posted on 10/25/2013 6:26:20 PM PDT by lafarge
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To: nickcarraway

When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.


49 posted on 10/25/2013 6:27:10 PM PDT by Freedom_Is_Not_Free (Free goodies for all -- Freedom for none.)
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To: HANG THE EXPENSE

The cops are “justified” in making snap decisions like this in the “heat of the chase” and all......Where is the line ... when I see an unidentified person, on my property, with a gun in his hand, shooting my pet, my personal property?

How justified would I be if I made a snap decision and drew down and killed that person, as is my legal right to do?

Why would it be different if it was a low life scum bag with a criminal record or high on drugs that I killed protecting my property, than if it was a low life scum bag cop I killed protecting my property?


50 posted on 10/25/2013 6:28:34 PM PDT by Delta 21 (Oh Crap !! Did I say that out loud ??!??)
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To: nickcarraway

Look, it may be friendly as all get out, but almost every town and city in the US has a leash law. No leash + no fence = dead dog. It’s a simple equation.

Many times I have been taking a leashed dog for a walk, when some fool, with his dog running free, comes within range, and every, single, time that dog does a beeline to my dog.

Below a certain size, no problem. But if that dog weighs more than 40 pounds, or is of a breed thought of as aggressive, I will have pepper spray in hand, and will spritz it. If it attacks, I will shoot it.

Importantly, I have the luxury of that choice, because if it does attack, it will attack my dog. If I was by myself, I would likely shoot as fast as those cops did.

Were that dog in a leash or in its own yard with even a small fence, it would be a different deal entirely.


51 posted on 10/25/2013 6:41:29 PM PDT by yefragetuwrabrumuy (Welfare is the new euphemism for Eugenics.)
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To: AlexW

>> before I left the USSA.

Really?


52 posted on 10/25/2013 6:49:54 PM PDT by Gene Eric (Don't be a statist!)
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To: ElkGroveDan
Stropkai tells KTVB she let Kita outside to use the bathroom and she was in her sight when the officer made an instant decision.

Kita began running toward them

The responsible party is the lady owner. Obviously, the dog was not in its own yard behind a fence. The lady was letting her dog run loose. It caused trouble at the wrong time and place and it ended up dead.

This should be no more surprising than a dog allowed to run loose getting hit by a car.

53 posted on 10/25/2013 6:50:38 PM PDT by xzins ( Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! Those who truly support our troops pray for victory!)
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To: Gene Eric

“Really?”
________________________
Really


54 posted on 10/25/2013 7:03:13 PM PDT by AlexW
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To: Bryanw92

The back of the head? How could it be attacking? Gas attack? Something is wrong with this story.


55 posted on 10/25/2013 7:03:15 PM PDT by logic101.net (How many more children must die on the altar of "gun free zones"?)
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To: Arm_Bears

“Shoot cops that shoot dogs.”

Be careful what you wish for...


56 posted on 10/25/2013 7:07:20 PM PDT by RKBA Democrat (Power disintegrates when people withdraw their obedience and support)
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To: nickcarraway

“Citizens! We have secured the area. It is now safe to collect your dead dogs. Make no sudden movements.”

Just serving, protecting, and all that good sh*t...


57 posted on 10/25/2013 7:12:28 PM PDT by headsonpikes (Mass murder and cannibalism are the twin sacraments of socialism - "Who-whom?"-Lenin)
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To: nickcarraway

Defund the police.


58 posted on 10/25/2013 7:14:41 PM PDT by RKBA Democrat (Power disintegrates when people withdraw their obedience and support)
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To: nickcarraway

Bookmark


59 posted on 10/25/2013 7:14:43 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: nickcarraway

“Dogs running loose are a safety risk, “

But firing a gun in a neighborhood in a non life threatening situation isn’t

I’ll say it again: One day one of these Sissies is going to shoot the wrong guys dog...and is going to get himself cut in half. Some people view dogs as family.


60 posted on 10/25/2013 7:16:31 PM PDT by TalBlack (Evil doesn't have a day job.)
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