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Dead dogs, are police going too far?

Larrry

Well-known member
Seems we are hearing more and more stories of police losing touch with their true purpose and decide they are judge and jury.

J.D. TuccilleGo to J.D.'s Home Page

Civil Liberties Examiner

Police shootings of dogs may reveal their attitudes toward the public
March 31, 11:18 AM · 3 comments
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The apparent police vendetta against dogs continues. This time, officers in Buffalo, New York, stormed into a home during the course of a search for drugs, gunned the dogs down in front of the family, and then left without making any arrests.

Most instances in which police shoot dogs are avoidable. These incidents often underscore other problems, whether in policies, procedures, communication or training."
-- Randall Lockwood, Humane Society of the United States
According to the Buffalo News, the raided home was the residence of Rita M. Patterson and her father, Daniel J. Patterson. Rita's boyfriend William F. Hanavan, who has served time on drug charges, was present at the scene and the likely target, but the warrant specified only "a white male and Hydrocodone."

Before she knew what was happening, police wearing masks and helmets and carrying automatic weapons had broken through the door. They tied her hands with a zip tie and put her on the floor.

Her father pleaded with police not to shoot the dogs, but they wouldn’t allow him to grab the dogs and put them in another room, Patterson said.

One of the officers started firing a shotgun at the two dogs, one a pit bull and the other a pit bull-boxer mix.

One of the dogs was shot three times: once in the throat, once in the back and the last time in the leg while trying to run away, Rita Patterson said.

The other dog was cowering behind a table. Neither was a threat to the police, the residents said.

While no arrests were made at the time, Hanavan was picked up the next day on assault charges, which may or may not have anything to do with the raid.

Overall, the story fits into a continuing pattern in which police seemingly gun down dogs that pose no apparent threat, sometimes even intervening to prevent owners from securing their pets. Short of assuming institutional cruelty toward animals, the only possible conclusion is that police are choosing to shoot dogs as a precautionary measure -- for those rare circumstances when household companions turn out to be trained killers the police insist they run across from time to time.

It may also be a brutal means of asserting dominance in encounters with the public.

Such shootings are sufficiently common that they've been addressed by the Humane Society. According to Randall Lockwood, Vice President of Research and Educational Outreach:

Some of these reports reveal a disturbing trend. According to a report in The Indianapolis Star, nearly three-fourths of the shooting incidents in the city from January 2000 to September 2002 involved shots fired at dogs, with officers killing 44 dogs during that period.

Phoenix, Arizona police shot eight dogs each year in 1999 and 2000, and then shot 13 in 2001. In Seattle, Washington, there were 11 non-accidental firearms discharges by police between March 1999 and March 2000. Two of these involved fatal shootings of people; four involved dogs killed by officers.

Most instances in which police shoot dogs are avoidable. These incidents often underscore other problems, whether in policies, procedures, communication or training.

Lock wood also points out, "Since more than one-third of American households have a dog, officers are likely to encounter canines whenever they approach or enter a residence. Although they may encounter truly dangerous dogs in some situations, the majority of dogs are likely to be well-behaved family pets who are legitimately protecting their homes and families from intruders."

It's true that pointless shootings of beloved animals by law-enforcement authorities don't rise to the same level of horror as similar killings of people. But the consequences after such shootings are usually petty -- when the police don't completely circle the wagons. After the Buffalo incident, police spokesman Michael J. DeGeorge said, “Executing a search warrant, police never know what they’re going to find on the other side of that door,” DeGeorge said. “In most cases, these can be life and death situations.”

It's true that you never know what's on the other side of the door -- that's why you have to exercise judgment and restraint. When there is no judgment or restraint ... well ... we may get a window into institutional police attitudes toward the public. How do officers wield force when they think they can get away with it?

These shootings may offer a disturbing answer to that question.



email J.D.: civilliberties (at) tuccille.com

http://www.examiner.com/x-536-Civil-Liberties-Examiner~y2009m3d31-Police-shoot-two-more-dogs-in-home-raid
 

nonothing

Well-known member
Thepolice do not just kick down families doors and shoot their pets...If they kick down a door most times there is a very good reason to do so.....Ever seen some of this drug houses and the dogs that roam in and out of them Larry?...All the pit bulls ready to attack....The police should have more fear then they do ..Your sound like a Liberal now Larry....If you had a pit bull bearing down on you Larry you would shoot it too...I think its unfair that these people get pitbulls and use them this way,but they do and what idiot is going to wait and see if a certain one comming at them is going for their throat or not...I am sure some good dogs do get shoot,but that is only because of those who train their pit bulls to kill and even though you may not think the cops are judge and jury, I would like to see what you would do holding a gun and haveing an angry pitbull comming at you?
 

Larrry

Well-known member
Your answer seems to be confrontational, I am not playing.
I will say this and leave it at that.

I am not against the police, but it is another equation in their duty as to why they need to exercise cautiion. Whether it be a family pet or an innocent bystander.[/quote]
 

nonothing

Well-known member
Larrry said:
Your answer seems to be confrontational, I am not playing.
I will say this and leave it at that.

I am not against the police, but it is another equation in their duty as to why they need to exercise cautiion. Whether it be a family pet or an innocent bystander.
[/quote]

Typical conservative answer..when you know a liberal is right your answer is your not playing....and you never offer confrontational answers?....Your a joke....
 

Larrry

Well-known member
Come back when you want to debate. Your response offered no debate only attacks, so no need to get mad that I won't get in the gutter with you
 

MsSage

Well-known member
All the warrent said was white male......if they had been investigating him they knew his NAME. Before you kick in a door you have your ducks in a row.....
A dog cowering is NO THREAT All they had to do was keep the father insight and have weapons drawn and let him secure the dogs.
Yes I KNOW crack houses have attack dogs and the police KNOW this before going in. BUT this was NOT a crack house.
This all about fear and intimadation. Same with the football player who was held at gunpoint while his wife ran into the hospital to be with her dying mother.
It is a sign of the times.......When will yall wake up our right s are being slowly taken away. What happened to innocent before proven guilty??
What happened to this OATH???????

I DO SOLEMNLY DECLARE UPON MY HONOUR AND CONSCIENCE THAT I WILL ACT AT ALL TIMES TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND KNOWLEDGE IN A MANNER BEFITTING A POLICE OFFICER

I WILL PRESERVE THE DIGNITY AND WILL RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF ALL INDIVIDUALS

I WILL DISCHARGE MY DUTIES WITH INTEGRITY AND WILL PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING AND CONCILIATION

I WILL EXERCISE MY AUTHORITY AS A POLICE OFFICER IN THE MANNER INTENDED BY THE LAW

I WILL FAITHFULLY OBEY THE ORDERS OF MY SUPERIORS AND WILL BE READY TO CONFRONT DANGER IN THE LINE OF DUTY

I WILL ACT WITH HONESTY, COURTESY AND REGARD FOR THE WELFARE OF OTHERS, AND WILL ENDEAVOUR TO DEVELOP THE ESPRIT DE CORPS

I WILL ACT JUSTLY AND IMPARTIALLY AND WITH PROPRIETY TOWARDS MY FELLOW OFFICERS

I WILL CONSTANTLY STRIVE TO HONOUR THIS OATH IN MY SERVICE AS A POLICE OFFICER
 

nonothing

Well-known member
MsSage said:
All the warrent said was white male......if they had been investigating him they knew his NAME. Before you kick in a door you have your ducks in a row.....
A dog cowering is NO THREAT All they had to do was keep the father insight and have weapons drawn and let him secure the dogs.
Yes I KNOW crack houses have attack dogs and the police KNOW this before going in. BUT this was NOT a crack house.
This all about fear and intimadation. Same with the football player who was held at gunpoint while his wife ran into the hospital to be with her dying mother.
It is a sign of the times.......When will yall wake up our right s are being slowly taken away. What happened to innocent before proven guilty??
What happened to this OATH???????

I DO SOLEMNLY DECLARE UPON MY HONOUR AND CONSCIENCE THAT I WILL ACT AT ALL TIMES TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND KNOWLEDGE IN A MANNER BEFITTING A POLICE OFFICER

I WILL PRESERVE THE DIGNITY AND WILL RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF ALL INDIVIDUALS

I WILL DISCHARGE MY DUTIES WITH INTEGRITY AND WILL PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING AND CONCILIATION

I WILL EXERCISE MY AUTHORITY AS A POLICE OFFICER IN THE MANNER INTENDED BY THE LAW

I WILL FAITHFULLY OBEY THE ORDERS OF MY SUPERIORS AND WILL BE READY TO CONFRONT DANGER IN THE LINE OF DUTY

I WILL ACT WITH HONESTY, COURTESY AND REGARD FOR THE WELFARE OF OTHERS, AND WILL ENDEAVOUR TO DEVELOP THE ESPRIT DE CORPS

I WILL ACT JUSTLY AND IMPARTIALLY AND WITH PROPRIETY TOWARDS MY FELLOW OFFICERS

I WILL CONSTANTLY STRIVE TO HONOUR THIS OATH IN MY SERVICE AS A POLICE OFFICER

You have no idea what row your ducks are in kicking in a door where a convicted criminal resides...the law is so soft on criminals now its become a joke..A crack house is much differnt from a drug house ....Users are inside crack house but drug houses are full of everything but users...You have absolutly no idea what these cops go through when taking down a house.It is about time that criminals and those harbouring criminals are scared of the law....There are some cases like the football player but I will gladly take those stories once every blue moon,if it meant taking drug dealers who are feeding drugs to kids off the streets and those still on the streets living in fear....It is time to treat criminals like criminals....and yes this house had a proven criminal inside it....

This story does not jive anyways....Why would a cop shoot a dog under a table and why would the owner be wanting them in another room..the dogs were obvouslly attempting to get at the cops...
 

hopalong

Well-known member
nonothing said:
MsSage said:
All the warrent said was white male......if they had been investigating him they knew his NAME. Before you kick in a door you have your ducks in a row.....
A dog cowering is NO THREAT All they had to do was keep the father insight and have weapons drawn and let him secure the dogs.
Yes I KNOW crack houses have attack dogs and the police KNOW this before going in. BUT this was NOT a crack house.
This all about fear and intimadation. Same with the football player who was held at gunpoint while his wife ran into the hospital to be with her dying mother.
It is a sign of the times.......When will yall wake up our right s are being slowly taken away. What happened to innocent before proven guilty??
What happened to this OATH???????

I DO SOLEMNLY DECLARE UPON MY HONOUR AND CONSCIENCE THAT I WILL ACT AT ALL TIMES TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND KNOWLEDGE IN A MANNER BEFITTING A POLICE OFFICER

I WILL PRESERVE THE DIGNITY AND WILL RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF ALL INDIVIDUALS

I WILL DISCHARGE MY DUTIES WITH INTEGRITY AND WILL PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING AND CONCILIATION

I WILL EXERCISE MY AUTHORITY AS A POLICE OFFICER IN THE MANNER INTENDED BY THE LAW

I WILL FAITHFULLY OBEY THE ORDERS OF MY SUPERIORS AND WILL BE READY TO CONFRONT DANGER IN THE LINE OF DUTY

I WILL ACT WITH HONESTY, COURTESY AND REGARD FOR THE WELFARE OF OTHERS, AND WILL ENDEAVOUR TO DEVELOP THE ESPRIT DE CORPS

I WILL ACT JUSTLY AND IMPARTIALLY AND WITH PROPRIETY TOWARDS MY FELLOW OFFICERS

I WILL CONSTANTLY STRIVE TO HONOUR THIS OATH IN MY SERVICE AS A POLICE OFFICER

You have no idea what row your ducks are in kicking in a door where a convicted criminal resides...the law is so soft on criminals now its become a joke..A crack house is much differnt from a drug house ....Users are inside crack house but drug houses are full of everything but users...You have absolutly no idea what these cops go through when taking down a house.It is about time that criminals and those harbouring criminals are scared of the law....There are some cases like the football player but I will gladly take those stories once every blue moon,if it meant taking drug dealers who are feeding drugs to kids off the streets and those still on the streets living in fear....It is time to treat criminals like criminals....and yes this house had a proven criminal inside it....

This story does not jive anyways....Why would a cop shoot a dog under a table and why would the owner be wanting them in another room..the dogs were obvouslly attempting to get at the cops...

Using your great insight could you please enlighten us where you got this information?
Are you aware that 100's of houses have been entered incorrectly by police using the wrong address, 123 maple street instead of 128 maple,
 

Larrry

Well-known member
No where in this story does it mention that the dogs were agressive. As far as putting them in the other room I know of people who put their dogs in other rooms while they have company. Some people just aren't dog people. As this cop mut not have been to shoot a cowaring dog. This is based on the article not some imagining what was maybe happening.
 

Steve

Well-known member
When dogs are known to be present and a danger, the police are left with little choice, but locally they are trying to tranquilize the dogs first, then if the dog remains aggressive they then shoot it.

but according to a local source that must be decide in less then 30 seconds.. and the dog is often overdosed..

not saying inner city police have this luxury, but it would avoid the drug dealer hiding behind his dog.. and the media making the police look bad.

the problem is not just an aggressive dog, but an owner who may be armed.. and the sooner the police neutralize any threat, the sooner the scene can be secured..
 

Steve

Well-known member
Larrry said:
No where in this story does it mention that the dogs were agressive. As far as putting them in the other room I know of people who put their dogs in other rooms while they have company. Some people just aren't dog people. As this cop mut not have been to shoot a cowaring dog. This is based on the article not some imagining what was maybe happening.

sorry, but knowing dogs, I doubt a dog was cowering under the table when people "entered" it's territory.. let alone took it's master to the ground..

Overly Aggressive Dog Breeds.

The subject of the most aggressive dog breeds causes much controversy and vociferous debate. Owners of Rottweilers, Dobermans, Pit Bull terriers and German Shepherd dogs spring to the defence of their pets, stressing how loving, reliable and trustworthy they are. When properly trained, socialized and integrated with family, friends and other dogs, this is usually true. However, these breeds have been bred and used for many years with the express purpose of guarding and protecting property, family and livestock. This strong protective instinct is in their genes and is thus more likely to result in aggressive behavior.
 

Larrry

Well-known member
I was basing my stance on info in the article. I didn't feel like I could presume anything. If the dogs were agressive it changes.
 

VanC

Well-known member
Larrry said:
I was basing my stance on info in the article. I didn't feel like I could presume anything. If the dogs were agressive it changes.

I agree. I'd like to hear what the police officers have to say before making a judgement that I'm not even qualified to make.
 
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