Was The Shooting Of This Dog Justified?

[Kromovaracun]

A petition has recently been started to fire an officer who shot a dog to death. The incident was recorded, and you can view both the petition and the video (which you can probably guess is quite graphic, I know AB has its share of animal lovers) here:

http://www.causes.com/justice-for-max?utm_source=causes.com&;utm_medium=fbpost&utm_campaign=fbMAX0703

Does anyone know what exactly was the dog's owner being arrested for? Was the dog a sufficient threat to the police to warrant being shot?

[Gromit]

Chill

I'm not a wuss when it comes to hounds.

Cats however, are a different kettle of fish.

[TheBaBas]

Well I'm a dog person - I've always had at least one dog and currently have a 12 year old Lab lying at my feet, farting just about the worst dog farts I've ever smelt, and yet I maintain the action taken was not only justifiable, it was completely understandable.

[Baldric]

No Assault Rifle being carried by Dog or Owner either that I could see!

[sp1814]

I have to say, if I were the policeman, I would not have waited until the dog bit me - because I've been bitten by a dog a few years ago, and it's an entirely unpleasant experience.

It's deeply unpleasant - but sometimes, unpleasant things just play out. It's entirely possible that the dog could have been contained...however, it's also entirely possible that this story could have ended with the news of a policeman with his throat ripped out, leaving a widow and fatherless children.

Hindsight is more valuable than gold...

[pixie373]

I just watched it with the sound off. Horrible:'(. Was clearly an over-reaction, as the dog would have gone straight for him to attack. The decision was made nervously and quickly for no obvious threat. They should have had a Taser, or something less permanent.

[sp1814]

I use the word 'entirely' way too much.

[naomi24]

sp, But not disingenuously. ;o)

[sp1814]

pixie373 -I was thinking about the taser too...but then I thought, tasers are calibrated for humans...God only knows what would happen to a dog if hit by a taser...?

[sp1814]

Stop showing off naomi24.

[naomi24]

Haaaa! Sorry. :o)

[Baldric]

Entirely true sp
:o)

[ChillDoubt]

The decision was made nervously and quickly for no obvious threat.
-----------------------------------------
...other than the big, snarly dog that had already lunged at one officer, yes?

[Gromit]

Rottweillers are not the most agile of dogs. This one was as fat and unfit as its owner. I hardly think it possessed the abilty to leap up and kill this officer by ripping out his throat, as has been suggested previously.

The big fat owner didn't look dangerous either so why did he need to restrained? If he hadn't have been, he could have regained control of the dog.

[pixie373]

The dog would have had him on the floor within seconds if it had wanted to

[ELVIS68]

I'd say the dog was just being loyal and protecting his owner rather than being aggressive

[wolf63]

I love dogs but will still admit that a strange dog (a large strange dog) in fight mode is a terrifying sight. Even if the dog was a big softie it is very possible that the policeman acted due to terror and nervousness.

I think that it was wrong to kill, rather than incapacitate, the dog. I am not sure about the tazer though - dogs are smaller than us but a dog such as the Rottweiller is pure muscle - it may have just stunned the dog and it may have killed it, it is also possible that it would have had no effect at all.

Gromit

I agree with you about cats. They are pretty formidable fighters and can inflict a lot of damage - they may look small and cuddly but they are evil and devious

[ChillDoubt]

Never seen a drug dealer with a ginger tabby on a short leash though, eh wolf? LOL

[wolf63]

chill - the ginger ones are the ones that you have to look out for. :-)

I suspect that more would have been gained (except paperwork) if they had just shot the drug dealer and left the dog.

[EDDIE51]

As it is a USA petition is there any point in those of us who are not US citizens signing ?
I do not agree with the shooting but I do not see that signatures from non US residents will be any use.

[ludwig]

// Was the dog a sufficient threat to the police to warrant being shot? //

Yes. The police provoked the incident though. There was no reason to approach and handcuff the man filming them. He just got on their nerves so they went to give him a bit of aggro - that's what set the dog off.