[thefactor]

You see, here's the thing. All the language in this article comes from the LAWSUIT! That means it was written by a lawyer who is representing the woman who was hit by the ricochet.

We are always so quick to dismiss lawyers when they are not on our side. But when it suits us, we embrace their cause I guess.

Full disclosure, I'm a cop. So of course you'll say I'm an apologist. But I call cops out when they need to be called out. What I am seeing here is, the only word you have here is the word of the dog's owner as told by her lawyer. Maybe the benefit of the doubt is warranted for now.

[mamelukesabre]

Well, there’s no doubt in my mind the old broad is milking it. There’s also no doubt in my mind it’s a pretty STUPID thing to do to miss a dog and hit a person.

Who do you want me to give the benefit of the doubt to?

[driftdiver]

Yep, you’re a cop.

Cops shoot too many dogs.

[driftdiver]

Yep, you’re a cop.

Cops shoot too many dogs.

[familyop]

"All the language in this article comes from the LAWSUIT!"

Yes--and from the point of view of the plaintiff. Most commenters miss such things and continue ranting subjectively.

[Mears]

I’m the Mom of a cop and thanks for your post.

[Blue Collar Christian]

Bingo.

[SatinDoll]

I sympathise with police officers, I truly do.

You never know what you’ll encounter when called out to someone’s house. And you’re correct that the language in the article comes from a lawsuit from the woman who was accidentally shot.

This past year in my town, a little three-year old toddler had half her face ripped off by her grandmother’s 7-year old male dog. It was an unprovoked attack by a beloved and well cared for pit bull (now deceased). Some dogs are by nature unpredictable.

I own a dog who is a barker. She’s not vicious but she is our watchdog. She barks whenever someone approaches or enters our property. This is necessary as we have been robbed, and a barking dog is a great deterrent. Four years old and a spayed English Springer Spaniel bitch, she has never bitten anyone and is quiet in public places, walking quietly on a leash as long as ignored; she does not like to be approached by strangers.

My biggest fear for her is that if an officer came to the door, my father, who has Alzheimers disease and thus very slow reflexes, may accidentally let her out the door and she will be shot.

But I do see your point of view, that more facts are warranted about this incident.

[Future Snake Eater]

I was absolutely adamant with my Soldiers in Iraq to only fire when you have a threat targeted. Not a general direction, not a "maybe", or "I'm scared and want to shoot", etc., but this guy/girl/whatever is a threat and has to go. Arbitrarily firing your weapon like that wreaks of pure panicky stupidity or a total lack of professionalism--neither of which should be tolerated in any police force in America.

I absolutely agree with you that there are definitely two sides to every story, but I am seriously not getting this whole thing with cops and shooting dogs. This is not exactly an isolated incident, you know?