Teen in trouble for taunting law's top dog

Toledo Blade ^ | 22 February 2003 | RYAN E. SMITH

[Deadeye Division]

Dogs and cats often are not the best of friends.

So if you decide to taunt a dog with a cat, just make sure of one thing - that the dog is not a duly sworn law enforcement officer.

That really can make the fur fly.

[Hank Rearden]

"By teasing and taunting that dog in the back of the police car, that dog could get hurt - from a physical injury of the legs or paws to breaking a tooth," Mr. Watson said.

They need to trade up to tougher dogs.

And I don't buy that "sworn officer" crap. At 4 years of age, a dog is not yet old enough to understand the obligation he's incurring.

[Centurion2000]

Mr. Fischer added: "It’s the same as if you were dealing with a police officer. You have to have a certain respect for legal authority."

Whatever .....

The idea that police dogs should be treated like the police is ludicrous .... they are DOGS, not humans. When I see a dog that can write a ticket, drive a cruiser , eat a donut and ask me if I've been drinking when he pulls me over ... then I'll treat him like a cop.

[cubreporter]

the kid deliberately teased the dog. Why is that? Why tease an animal? What purpose does it serve. Not only the dog could have gotten hurt but the cat could have too. Maybe the cat didn't appreciate his owner pushing him up against the window with a large dog on the other side. Don't know if the cat WAS with his owner or not so can't say about that. If the cat did belong to the owner, the owner should be ashamed for scaring his own animal and teasing another. People must be responsible for their actions. Let him work cleaning up after pets or something. Some kind of "I'm sorry for what I did" type punishment. To just let it go without at least some simple consequence just allows this type of behavior to continue.

[Deadeye Division]

The Blade is even running a poll about this:

Should a Perrysburg Township teenager be charged for teasing a police dog with a cat?

Yes 71.2%
No 28.8%

Vote at www.toledoblade.com

[Ches]

"When I see a dog that can write a ticket, drive a cruiser , eat a donut "

LOL

Not to mention read the Constitution.

[winner3000]

These police dogs are used in some of the most life-threatening situations in order to save human beings. That punk kid knew what he was doing and thought it would be such a kick to tease a defenseless dog caged in the back of a police car. What a coward! I hope they throw the book at him and that would discourage others of his ilk to drive an animal nuts just for fun. Cruelty should not be protected.

[CindyDawg]

Well maybe the cat ought to press charges against the kid too. The judge can be an owl and monkeys can sit on the jury.

[Ches]

" To just let it go without at least some simple consequence just allows this type of behavior to continue."

Like a tounge lashing by cop. But, we have to keep the legal industy fully employed!

[apackof2]

On the other hand can a human police officer smell well enought to track the guy who just tried to burgarlize and or rape your wife and without one thought for his own safety corner and then attack/capture said burgary/rapist for no pay,health benifits or pension?

[steve in DC]

Sounds to me like the police dog is a racist!

One look at a black cat and he flys into an uncontrolable rage!

It is a good thing that this was discovered ahead of time. If he had seen this cat while he was "on the job" there is no telling what might have happened!

(for the slower of mind, this is posted in jest)

[Ches]

tounge???? Darn publik skules!

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

I have a differnt slant.
The dog was used in drug
work, maybe the dog was not
going after cat, but the
drug using punk.

[CindyDawg]

Yeah, but where is the common sense? Why not just sternly tell the kid to leave the dog alone. I'm so tired of all these "well if we don't arrest a kid they might......... I bet everyone of you guys have teased a dog before.

[cubreporter]

oh yes, if the cop did tongue lash the kid it would hurt his little feelings or would be deemed offensive to him.

[apackof2]

I understand what you mean, I was just trying to illustrate how valuable these dogs are to us as citizens

Being a "dog mom" I have never teased a dog in my life

[Ches]

"maybe the dog was not going after cat, but the drug using punk."

Well, then arrest him for drugs.

[Ches]

"Being a "dog mom" "

LOL! How big was your litter? And I won't go where "what" that would make you.

[Diverdogz]

What exactly was the harm to the dog? Did he hurt his eardrums from barking too loud in the car? Did he slobber on the windows, causing unnecessary windex use? ...or is a 'riled' dog the only damage.

Seems to me the officer should simply have told the punk kid to get lost and don't do it again.