Ask Me Help Desk - Cops shooting dogs

Cops shooting dogs

What is up with cops shooting family pets when they enter a home or yard? It is happening more and more everywhere. Are the cops all men who want to appear tough and really should not be cops?
As a pet owner and animal activist it scares me. It is not just a couple of incidents. I hear of new stories on a weekly basis. They are happening in North America the most. I know to a lot of people it is only dogs but to some people, like me, they are our lives.
Latest story
Police shoot toothless 16-year-old family dog during no-knock raid | Police State USA

Facebook page for those interested : Mr. Policeman, Don't Shoot My Dog

Are they entering homes with warrants, and the dogs is not under control of owner. Is the dog growling and acting in a dangerous manner.

As a post officer with some scares from "SPOT" if the dog seems as s threat, what is the officer suppose to do.

If the home is being entered due to the warrant, consider the real issue and person at fault, the person who committed the crime and caused the police to enter the first place

The warrant was for a family member who was not even in the house. They could have yelled police call your dog. They could have surrounded the house then knocked and announced themselves. That would have allowed the owners to kennel the elderly pet. The house would be surrounded so the fugitive could not escape. My dog is a good dog but I don't know how he would react to people breaking in my house yelling. If they want to arrest me fine do it but leave my dog alone and alive.
Also there have been recent cases of them going to the wrong house and shooting a pet. One case was the cops were chasing someone and cut through a backyard. They killed the dog. The dog is doing what he is supposed to do protect his pack.
I used to respect cops but am finding I am losing respect as most seem to want to hurt people and animals.

I agree with Mogrann, but I also see Chucks point. The police don't normally come to your home if you're innocent. I've done a bit of research on this, and most of the cases I found, the dog was being aggressive to police when they came to the home to arrest either the owner of the dog, or someone else living in the home.

Now, that doesn't make it right, but if there was a warrant, obviously the owner would know he's wanted. He/she didn't turn him/herself in, forcing the police to come to the home. He/she also didn't control the dog.

Having said that, there are also cases as Mogrann described, where pets of perfectly innocent people are killed only because of something someone else did. A criminal runs through my yard, the cops chase him, and they shoot my dogs because they're trespassing on my property and my dogs do what they're supposed to do and guard their turf? How is that right?

That's not right at all. Yes, they're chasing a criminal, but I'm not a criminal, and you're coming onto my fenced property, where my dogs go to play and potty, and you shoot them because you're trespassing? NO! Not right at all! Not even remotely okay, and you can bet that I'd be suing them until the day they die.

Hello m:

Truly, I HATE cops. It's not getting better either.. I hate 'em MORE and MORE each passing day.

You do too. You just don't wanna admit it.

excon

I dont hate cops. But in the same breath I dont trust them. They have gotten more and more out of hand. We have every right to fear the government and to monitor them just as much as they monitor us.

Should police shoot a dog during a raid? If they feel threatened yes. But that doesnt make it right.

Hello again, dad:

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Should police shoot a dog during a raid? If they feel threatened yes. But that doesnt make it right.

If the cops are trying to arrest a DANGEROUS FELON, then shoot the damn dog..

But, MOST raids are perpetrated against NON VIOLENT drug offenders like people growing a few pot plants...

Sorry, dad. You didn't convince me. I HATE 'em with a passion.

excon

My issue is people are saying it is okay as they are their with a warrant... What law did the dog break to deserve death? How is this the dogs fault? I will say again if armed people come rushing in your house with no notice guns drawn. What do you expect the dog to do? What is the difference between a home invasion and cops serving a warrant? How does the dog know it is okay? The owners of the dog have seconds to get their dog away, if the cops will allow them to kennel the dog.
Sorry that Facebook page I have linked has lots of stories of police refusing people the right to take the dog away, shooting dogs in front of kids, shooting dogs when they break in the wrong house, after shooting trying to hide the dog, throwing a dog downstairs.. and more. Go to that Facebook page I named and read the stories. Come back here and tell me the cops are not going rogue and making up their own laws. If you have pets do you really feel safe in your house if the cops come?
I have called my local police department I am so scared. I know what they tell me I can do, but how do I know they will let me. They have told me to tell the cops threw the door let me put my dog away and do it. That they will give me the time to do that... but how do I know that cop will care?
Alty I would sue too if it happened but that will not pay vet bills or bring my dog back. That will also not erase the memories of what happened. This world and government scares me more and more each day. People need control back and cops and politicians need to realize they work for us and not us for them.
Excon, I can say I hate bad cops. I can say I am scared of cops. Maybe I do hate them all but that seems like such a blanket statement. Even on that page on Facebook I posted about they list stories from good cops helping dogs. So not all are bad.

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If the cops are trying to arrest a DANGEROUS FELON, then shoot the damn dog..

Reminds me of that Santa Fe NM traffic stop (for speeding), the mother got scared and took off, and the cops shot at the van full of five kids.

N.M. police fire on minivan filled with kids, their mom: How it happened - CBS News

Those are the same cops who'd shoot an aging, toothless dog without thinking twice. In Chicago, the cops go to the wrong house and shoot your dog.

Illinois police officer goes to wrong house, shoots family's dog - National Dogs | Examiner.com

Illinois departments love their K-9 auxiliaries that help officers in all sorts of ways, but there's a disconnect when it's a possible offender's barking, growling dog defending his master or his pack.

Hello again, m:

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Excon, I can say I hate bad cops. I can say I am scared of cops. Maybe I do hate them all but that seems like such a blanket statement. So not all are bad.

In their own MINDS they're "good". They've even convinced SOME of you. But, lemme ask you THIS...

Let's say you happen to run into one of those "bad" cops with "good" cops looking on.. And, the bad cop DOES what bad cops DO, and that's ABUSE you. As a victim of police brutality, you file a complaint...

Absent video, WHO are the "good" cops gonna BACK UP??? YOU????

Nahhh.. You KNOW who. So, I don't CARE that they THINK they're good cops. They DON'T fool me..

excon

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Reminds me of that Santa Fe NM traffic stop (for speeding), the mother got scared and took off, and the cops shot at the van full of five kids.

Apparently you don't know the whole story about that WG.

Hello J:

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Apparently you don't know the whole story about that WG

What's to KNOW, J??? Don't keep us hanging.

The cop was shooting at a fleeing suspect.. That's against the law, EVEN in your neck of the woods. The cop was fired. That's as it SHOULD be. Yes, he's trying to get his job back. That's as it should be too.

What are we missing?

excon

If a cop will shoot people, why wouldn't they shoot a dog. And shooting a van full of kids is wrong no matter the circumstances. Cops had an option, I mean where were they going to escape to?

She was from here. About 30 miles from where I live. There was marijuana in the vehicle. Let me see if I can find the local reports.

Hello again, J:

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There was marijuana in the vehicle.

OMG! It was pot.. That's certainly a capital offense deserving of DEATH, even if you're 6 and it was your mothers pot.

Wow. There's nothing more I can say about that.

excon

Sorry J9.. just cause a natural herb was in the vehicle was not grounds to shoot at her. Should she have stopped... YES. Should the cop have shot at her... NO How do they keep the peace in Britain? They don't carry guns I believe.. unless that is an urban legend.
I really don't know the solution but do know I can no longer ignore what is going on in the world. Change happens when people start paying attention and demand change.

This should outline it. New Mexico officer in Memphis van shooting is fired » The Commercial Appeal

Hello again, J:

Yup. Marijuana PIPES... That JUSTIFIES it, for sure...

Are you STILL gonna pursue that FLAWED and DANGEROUS logic, J???? I KNOW your sons are cops, but you don't think they should shoot somebody who's RUNNING away because they have pot...

Plus, the cops didn't KNOW there was a dangerous drug in the car, before they SHOT their guns. If they DID, ALL of 'em would be DEAD!!!

Yes, I HATE cops... Have you ever asked your son whether he'd snitch on a BAD cop to make sure the force was CLEAN??? Why don't you ask him?

excon

Gimme a freaking break already! While you were nicely tucked in your bed and having a good snooze, I was delivering babies, both live and dead. If I had the wits about me right now I could give you more specifics. Sadly I don't have my wits about me. I need to sleep.

J I see wrong on all sides in that story.
1. The lady should have stopped for the officers the first time
2. The officer should not have shot at the vehicle. Especially after he realized children were in the van. (They had all ready approached the vehicle to smash the window out).

Both are in the wrong. Again it is not the children's fault what the mom is doing. Also they only mention pipes were in the vehicle no pot was mentioned. IMO too many people are in jail for darn possession of pot. Too many lives ruined by stupid laws.

Hello again, J:

Oh, I see.. You're a wonderful person so you should be allowed to post BULL! Nahhh... That ain't the way it works.

excon

The mother was wrong, but the cop still shouldn't have drawn his weapon. Why can't cops just put tickets on the windshields and let the process work safely? She was still an idiot for not just taking it, and driving away safely, keeping her kids safe.

Hello again, tal:

The COPS are the professionals.. The citizens are BONKERS. They cannot be blamed for the BAD behavior of the professionals..

While I'm here waiting for J to tell me about how her son will ALWAYS stand up for goodness and righteousness, lemme say this:

The police force is like ANY street gang, except they have better uniforms... If a GANG member goes against the gang, he's gonna be KILLED..

If a COP goes against HIS gang, he's gonna be killed too. You KNOW I'm speaking the truth. Yes, I HATE 'em!

excon

Tal, in answer to your question about posting the ticket on the windshield. What you have to understand is that the way the law works is that any traffic violation is an arrestable offence. The reason you dont normally get arrested unless it involved endangerment is that when you sign the ticket you are signing a promisary in lieu of bail. You get your hearing date in the mail and you are expected to appear or pay the fine. In not signing they couldnt just place it on the windshield and let it go as there was no promise to appear by way of signature.

Look ex, the cops as we have known them are long past a private police force run by the municipality. They have moved on to more of mini paramilitary units. As such thier behavior has been more or war time then of civil times. Maybe its time for Americans to carry dash cams as they do in Russia. I dont know what the answer is. Maybe what we need is a commitee for review that is made of citizens rather then politicians or people that have State jobs. We can debate use of force and good cop bad cop all day. But the bottom line is that we all need to be aware and watch for when either side crosses the line and not be affraid to step forward. We need to stop just accepting what we are told and examine it for what it is. The trampling of the contitution needs to stop. The citizenry of this country deserve more respect then they are getting. I dont have all the answers nor do I know where all the BS stops but I do know atleast one end and that is where I stand. I call it as I see it. Lately what I see I dont like very much and it is not the country I was raised in.

I have already said the woman was an idiot. I saw the video of the officer explain all her options to her. He bent over backward many times to NOT arrest her. But if we know that a policy or procedure doesn't work as designed, it should be modified, so kids and dogs and other innocents don't get shot.

How hard is it to make relinquishing your keys to a cop the first policy of any traffic stop. Or knowing who occupies a house before you bust down the door at 3 am. I am sure there are other modifications or fixes to suggest upon review of the facts.

Hello dad:

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Maybe its time for Americans to carry dash cams as they do in Russia.

Cop cams would be better. They need to record 24 hours a day and CANNOT be hacked. We have the technology. We just lack the will.

excon

So what your saying is that so long as the peritraitor of a crime be it a traffic stop or felony violation doesnt have to follow any rules of engaugement if the choose not to? That is absurd. Knocking on a door in many situations can patiently waiting outside until someone responds is not an option as they person on the other side of that door is free to roam and get whatever weapons they desire withing thier reach and somebody or multiple somebodys gets killed. Sorry not an option. We need to weed out the bad cops and create better policy for monitoring what is actually happening but what we dont need is to make more caos out of what is already going on.

Maybe live mini cams and voice recorders on every officer is a way to monitor every stop and every move while on duty. For later examination by a public board. We need to stop the madness.

ex, I can't agree to the 24 hr rule but I can agree to every officer that is on shift. Also if a recording unit goes down at any time then that officer needs to report back to station and get it fixed before being allowed into the field. Anyone being caught tampering with the system should face harsh punishment.

Hello again, dad:

We're splitting hairs here... I don't wanna watch him at home or off duty. I was thinking about sharing one cam between 3 shifts.

But, the IDEA is correct... The ONLY way the citizen has been able to get ANY measure of justice, is when video cams came into play. Now, EVERY cop needs one, and maybe two.. Maybe even 3. I'll bet they can mount one on his service weapon. You're the gun expert. Can they do that?

excon

Yes ex they can mount one to a weapon. They have tazer cams already and you could mount one to a service weapon. But if they are already carrying one there really isnt a need for it. As was the case here with the video from the dash cam. The officer was attempting to shoot at the tires. It also clearly indicates that this officer has been watching too many movies and hasnt a clue what public safety is.

Again, it is bedtime for me. I do want to say, since Excon is impatiently waiting for my response, that I do NOT agree with what the cop did in the shooting. He should be fired and charged with child endangerment, etc. However, the mother in that case was not entirely innocent.

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While I'm here waiting for J to tell me about how her son will ALWAYS stand up for goodness and righteousness,

Because my son was raised properly.

Now, with that said. Again, I am going to bed. I refuse to let this thread turn into a Current Events bashing thread. There ARE good cops out there in the world. I'm sorry you haven't met them.