Another Dog Bites the Dust

[Jim Beaux]

This is getting outrageous.

http://houston.cbslocal.com/2014/06/02/ ... rm-system/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[gljjt]

Although we have had several dog shooting incidents lately that appear unjustified, I'll reserve judgement on this one. I can imagine a 120 pound rottweiler being a true threat. I do appreciate that they removed the remains and cleaned up as best they could, and then met with the family. This could be just a unfortunate, but justified shooting.

Edited for spelling.

[mojo84]

Wow! The dog was so aggressive it was still on or near its bed when it was shot. Sad ordeal right there.

Jim, I think some believe the badge is a license to kill.

[Keith B]

Wow! The dog was so aggressive it was still on or near its bed when it was shot. Sad ordeal right there.

Jim, I think some believe the badge is a license to kill.

I don't think that's the case. I think it's just a quick reaction to a percieved threat. When entering a house on an alarm call you should expect to possibly find a family pet. I personally would not have entered the house without the homeowner being there or advising over the phone that there is not an animal in the home or even another family member that could have tripped the alarm accidentally. With no sign of forced entry then the chances are very high this is jsut another false alarm call.

[mojo84]

Keith, I understand I may be hypercritical in these cases and it could be argued whether or not it is justified.

I wouldn't be if it wasn't becoming so common that people's dogs and people are being shot. Shooting a dog in or near its bed in its own home just doesn't pass the smell test to me. I think it is becoming too common that cops go to their guns and shoot out of " officer safety" and "the #1 priority is to go home at the end the their shift" nowadays. I do know for a fact, some officers have know qualms about shooting a dog as they know there won't be any repercussions as their departments consider them, "just dogs".

I agree with your thought of taking steps not to put yourself in a situation and using more discernment. Much of this could be avoided.

[Keith B]

Keith, I understand I may be hypercritical in these cases and it could be argued whether or not it is justified.

I wouldn't be if it wasn't becoming so common that people's dogs and people are being shot. Shooting a dog in or near its bed in its own home just doesn't pass the smell test to me. I think it is becoming too common that cops go to their guns and shoot out of " officer safety" and "the #1 priority is to go home at the end the their shift" nowadays. I do know for a fact, some officers have know qualms about shooting a dog as they know there won't be any repercussions as their departments consider them, "just dogs".

I agree with your thought of taking steps not to put yourself in a situation and using more discernment. Much of this could be avoided.

I agree it's happening too often, which means the process is flawed. In this case, the officers didn't 'go to their guns' when they saw the dog, I am sure they entered the house with them already drawn, so there were already out and ready when the dog was encountered. There are some people who have a phobia and fear when it comes to large dogs. I had a very lengthy discussion with the Captain over the DPS licensing offices about one of their Sargent's forcing my wife to leave because of the service dog she was training. My wife was threatened with a citation if she refused to leave. That act was a Misdemeanor. Story is here http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php? ... nt#p325650" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bottom line, there needs to be a better method of dealing with canine encounters by officers responding to innocuous calls.

[VMI77]

Keith, I understand I may be hypercritical in these cases and it could be argued whether or not it is justified.

I wouldn't be if it wasn't becoming so common that people's dogs and people are being shot. Shooting a dog in or near its bed in its own home just doesn't pass the smell test to me. I think it is becoming too common that cops go to their guns and shoot out of " officer safety" and "the #1 priority is to go home at the end the their shift" nowadays. I do know for a fact, some officers have know qualms about shooting a dog as they know there won't be any repercussions as their departments consider them, "just dogs".

I agree with your thought of taking steps not to put yourself in a situation and using more discernment. Much of this could be avoided.

I have three big dogs. They're all sweethearts, but there is no way I'm ever going to call the police or allow a situation such as alarm to summon police to my property, unless I'm sure my dogs are secure in a way that makes it impossible for the police to kill them. That pretty much means that except in the most extreme situation, such as having to shoot an intruder, I'm not calling the police for anything.

I'm more afraid of the police than intruders. At least if intruders are shooting at me I can shoot back without going to prison if I live. And they're probably less likely to kill my dogs.

[EEllis]

Unless you don't want police to enter homes when they find an open door during an alarm response I'm not sure where the criticism is coming from. You have a very large dog of a known aggressive breed. The cops were in it's house when no one else was home. I have a hard time believing the dog wouldn't be aggressive in that situation. If a dog like that did bite it would normally be a pretty serious injury. If they had know a rott was inside then I do believe they should of taken a different approach but roasting cops for every shooting irregardless of facts is wrong.

[mojo84]

Unless you don't want police to enter homes when they find an open door during an alarm response I'm not sure where the criticism is coming from. You have a very large dog of a known aggressive breed. The cops were in it's house when no one else was home. I have a hard time believing the dog wouldn't be aggressive in that situation. If a dog like that did bite it would normally be a pretty serious injury. If they had know a rott was inside then I do believe they should of taken a different approach but roasting cops for every shooting irregardless of facts is wrong.

In which of your law books did you learn the legal term "irregardless"?

The dog had hip dysplasia and was shot on or near its bed. Doesn't sound like a charging aggressive threat to me. Like I said earlier, I could probably overlook some of these incidents if it wasn't so common. It's too common and I know too many cops' attitudes about how shooting an animal is no big deal.

[jmra]

Unless you don't want police to enter homes when they find an open door during an alarm response I'm not sure where the criticism is coming from. You have a very large dog of a known aggressive breed. The cops were in it's house when no one else was home. I have a hard time believing the dog wouldn't be aggressive in that situation. If a dog like that did bite it would normally be a pretty serious injury. If they had know a rott was inside then I do believe they should of taken a different approach but roasting cops for every shooting irregardless of facts is wrong.

In which of your law books did you learn the legal term "irregardless"?

[Jim Beaux]

If the Rott was dangerous he would have already eaten all the BGs in the house. The LEO should have backed out, closed the door and called the homeowner.

[EEllis]

In which of your law books did you learn the legal term "regardless"?

The dog had hip dysplasia and was shot on or near its bed. Doesn't sound like a charging aggressive threat to me. Like I said earlier, I could probably overlook some of these incidents if it wasn't so common. It's too common and I know too many cops' attitudes about how shooting an animal is no big deal.

"irregardless" While not in common use is a word. Not my fault if you don't know that and it wasn't be used as a legal term. I didn't see the info you post in the original source but not sure it proves anything, or really even makes it more likely.

[jmra]

In which of your law books did you learn the legal term "regardless"?

The dog had hip dysplasia and was shot on or near its bed. Doesn't sound like a charging aggressive threat to me. Like I said earlier, I could probably overlook some of these incidents if it wasn't so common. It's too common and I know too many cops' attitudes about how shooting an animal is no big deal.

"irregardless" While not in common use is a word. Not my fault if you don't know that and it wasn't be used as a legal term. I didn't see the info you post in the original source but not sure it proves anything, or really even makes it more likely.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irregardless
"Irregardless originated in dialectal American speech in the early 20th century. Its fairly widespread use in speech called it to the attention of usage commentators as early as 1927. The most frequently repeated remark about it is that “there is no such word.” There is such a word, however. It is still used primarily in speech, although it can be found from time to time in edited prose. Its reputation has not risen over the years, and it is still a long way from general acceptance. Use regardless instead."

[mojo84]

In which of your law books did you learn the legal term "regardless"?

The dog had hip dysplasia and was shot on or near its bed. Doesn't sound like a charging aggressive threat to me. Like I said earlier, I could probably overlook some of these incidents if it wasn't so common. It's too common and I know too many cops' attitudes about how shooting an animal is no big deal.

"irregardless" While not in common use is a word. Not my fault if you don't know that and it wasn't be used as a legal term. I didn't see the info you post in the original source but not sure it proves anything, or really even makes it more likely.

I think it says a lot that you jump in and argue against people's opinions without even reading the articles. Here you go.

Lane said 8-year-old Bullet, who suffered from hip dysplasia, is not aggressive.

“My dog is in his home, in his room, laying down chilling like he does and he takes a long time. Anybody can come in the house and be like, ‘I thought you had a dog?’ And I do, but he’s not an aggressive dog,” Lane told KVUE.

Lane added that the dog’s blood was cleaned up off the floor, but that bullet holes remain in the wall and the futon Bullet slept on.