[rwfromkansas]

Cops are not above the law. If they commit cruelty to animals, they should be charged and locked up like the rest of us would be.

Mr. Hall could have simply kicked the dog if he felt it was a threat.

[Red Jones]

You're right that the officer should've done different. When the people they were arresting explained the problem with the dog they should've responded to close the car door. The guy Hall should've done something different rather than shoot the dog. I'd think he should've kicked the dog like you said or used his shotgun to keep the dog away without shooting the dog. It was very bad judgement and cowardly as well on the officer's part. But the officer didn't intend to kill the dog when the situation started. The officer got into this situation only because he was trying to do his job.

The fact that the police are taught to use deadly force as soon as they themselves feel any danger is a very bad policy in reality. Some of the cops have hair-triggers as a result of this idea. Some cops understand that it's their job to face danger and will put up with it in order to save others. Those cops are the quiet heros we don't hear about. But some cops are cowards in that situation. I'd have rather been bit by the dog than kill the dog when uncertain as to dog's intentions. If a cop can't tolerate a bit of danger, then get him out of the uniform.

If we prosecute cops when they screw up, then the cops will merely lie more than they already do and dig in against us and then they will de-police and recruits will be rare. We've got to get a different culture among the cops, but we still have to treat them fairly.

Sorry to disagree because I really don't like cops and I am so glad so many people agree with me on that point!

[Spirited]

"Cops are not above the law."

The entire concern here is that they are now above the law and they know it. Anyone will bet you that since they can kill people without thinking they can certainly kill dogs and laugh later with their comrades. Fewer and fewer of them will be among those who care and more and more of them are becoming the elitist rambo types who dominate instead of serving anyone but themselves. It is how you conquer a nation and subdue it.

[realpatriot71]

Mr. Hall could have simply kicked the dog if he felt it was a threat.

Exactly