Why didn't they ascertain whether they were dealing with a Pitbull?
Having failed to do that, why did they leave themselves open for a possible Pitbull attack by not closing the car doors as the family had repeatedly asked?
IMO, Officer Hall played the Pitbull card to cover himself.
I'd like to see him cross examined under oath to answer these and other questions, such as the ones in my post #609.
You've got THREE SECONDS... quick call the AKC and have an expert come and determine the breed of the dog that is jumping at you.
Right.
According to the latest reports the dog was a Bull Terrier - Boxer mix... and for those of you who don't know, a "Bull Terrier" is commonly called a "Pit Bull." The dog I saw running in the video looks much more like a "Pit Bull" than it does a Boxer.
Now add in the limited vision an officer has if their using flashlights and the headlights of the cruiser to illuminate the scene. You cannot judge the visibility from what the video sees.
Monday morning quarterbacking is great fun... but it doesn't win football games.
One might also say that one of the first statements the press chose to inform the public about was that Hall thought the dog was a Pitbull. The fact that the press, or police administrators or Hall himself may have thought this tidbit was important has never mattered much to me. But since you mention it, don't you think the dog resembles a Pitbull?
IMO, many of Officer Hall's accusers have blamed him for not knowing more about the dog's disposition... for not being more in command. Are you aware that the THP was in charge at the scene? Are you aware that Hall was assigned the duty of providing backup during a felony stop? Have you thought about what the imperatives are for an officer providing backup during a felon stop? ...the procedures and training? Have you thought about what the reasonable expectations of an officer providing backup are on the officer (trooper in this case) who is in charge?
Put yourself in Hall's (and the other Cookeville Officer(s)) shoes for a minute. Some dispatcher tells them to assist in a THP trooper request to provide backup during a felony stop of a robbery suspect... Officer Hall himself characterizes this occurrence as unusual and serious. They arrive at a scene were a THP Lt. is in charge and are assigned backup and assist duties. Have you thought about the difference between the on the scene authority of Tennessee State Troopers who are in change and the local Cookeville Police who are assigned backup and assist duties?
I could go on, but you either get it or you don't.