Police kill dog ...

mountainman · Post by **mountainman** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 11:49 am

mountainman · Post by **mountainman** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 11:52 am

I hope the family wins a case against these police officers. Jerks.

Silver · Post by **Silver** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 12:02 pm

Link to the video of it.

Yeah, I hope the family wins as well. Having your dog blown away after you repeatedly asked the officers to shut the door would suck bad.

http://zekemacneil.com/shotgun.php

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 12:19 pm

OMG!

That is horrible.......

I hope they fire the officers.....fine them, and never allow them to work in a police job EVER again.

If ever there was a case of negligence.....this has to be it.

That poor dog probably thought it was playtime.

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 12:22 pm

It seems we hear more and more of these kinds of stories every day...and the police wonder why many non-criminal citizens are still hostile toward them.

therealcableguy · Post by **therealcableguy** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 12:59 pm

What a nightmare for their family! What were those cops thinking?

CiscoKid · Post by **CiscoKid** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 2:13 pm

How the hell can he mistake a playing dog for an attacking dog?

That officer seemed to have already made up his mind that the guy was guilty before even talking them. Being careful is one thing, but what he did can be compared to him shooting one of the the people kneeling cuffed in front of him!

LT-73 · Post by **LT-73** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 2:15 pm

Those dam SOB's !!!

Why would they shoot a dog like that for no reason?? That just pisses me off!

Just when i'm starting to trust Police officers, this kind of stuff happens that changes it

I hope the "Buster's Law" applies to cops too!

mountainman · Post by **mountainman** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 3:21 pm

That dog was pretty small too. Looked like one of those damn fluzzy gold colored type with the fluffy tail.

Heaven forbid the dog tries to hump his leg!!!

koldchillah · Post by **koldchillah** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 3:51 pm

thats just sick!
how cruel.... dog was just comin' over to say "hey" and check out whats going on,... totally unnecessary.. I hope that cop gets what he deserves & feels really guilty and has disturbing nightmares about it every night for the rest of his life. poor dog..

NexariaN · Post by **NexariaN** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 4:05 pm

Any of you watch the video?

Thats horrable, i dont know the people, I didnt know the dog, but i still felt everyhing those people felt. To be held down and watch as your most beloved pet is butchered by a shot gun.

Was that dog growling? showing its teeth? Did it look like a dog that was ready to attack? It did what other normal dogs do when they meet someone new-Went up to snif and say hi.

This makes me sick, I mean, even in shows on TV, they dont just go up to dogs that would bite you and shoot them!!!!!

That officer could have used the "side" of the gun to "defend" him self (if he thought it was going to attack him) insted of just shooting the dog!

No offence to the Law enforecers on SG, but in my oppinion, Most of these officers are just plain stupid, and when it comes down to it, Heartless. They need a reality check-(not everything that comes out of the car is gonna kill them!)

NexariaN · Post by **NexariaN** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 4:09 pm

Originally posted by koldchillah33
I hope that cop gets what he deserves & feels really guilty and has disturbing nightmares about it every night for the rest of his life. poor dog..

Perfectly said!!

tao_jones · Post by **tao_jones** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 4:22 pm

Ba$tards....somebody should go to there homes and kill their pets in front of them....I live 20minutes outside of nashville and I know how trhe powers that be can be

Needlefreak · Post by **Needlefreak** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 6:04 pm

Hard choice to make...

A: Shoot dog and live with your decision,never knowing what the dog may have done...

B: Dont shoot dog and possiably have to live with being mauled...

If the door could have been shut safely containing the dog it should have..

-""(not everything that comes out of the car is gonna kill them!)""

Ever worked a Police or security job?? A smart officer will view everyone and anything as a possiable threat...

JMHO

mountainman · Post by **mountainman** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 6:29 pm

From the video I saw, the dog looked pretty damn small. I watched it at work where Real Player is installed, so I can't watch it here at home.

Either way, unless it was a type of dog that that guy thought may hurt him, there is no reason to take a shotgun point blank to a dog's head. For you computer only thinkers, that is like setting your great grandma up with a 3GHz P4, 1024MB RAM, 9700 Pro, and 200GB WD HD system... it's just too much.

64bit · Post by **64bit** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 7:24 pm

Originally posted by mountainman
For you computer only thinkers, that is like setting your great grandma up with a 3GHz P4, 1024MB RAM, 9700 Pro, and 200GB WD HD system... it's just too much.

Ya but solitare never ran so fast or looked so good!!

Good analogy.

CoolJ · Post by **CoolJ** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 8:00 pm

From what I seen/read, they asked the officers over and over to CLOSE the door so the dog wouldnt get loose. That dog was pretty small, if It did come at you, one kick and it would be flying. The dog was wagging his tail and they said "the dogs harmless" but he shot it anyways

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 8:12 pm

Bottom line.....there was enough light from the spots, headlights, etc. for the officer to make out that there were passengers.....is someone really gonna try and blow smoke up my ass and tell me that they NEVER saw the dog?

Passenger....get out of the vehicle! NOW!

Obviously there was plenty of light to make out passengers let alone a big dog.

The officer on the left side(drivers side) was looking at the dog the entire time as he approached the vehicle.....all he had to do was tell the other officers to shut the damn door.

Just another night out carjacking for Mom, Dad, and son......I guess they used the dog to threaten their voctims.

But there is a human element to all of this that can't be ignored.

The cop who shot the dog, along with his fellow officers should have just apologized for their mistake and bought the family a new dog without question. That would be the right thing to do but this is where I error the police...not in their mistake...but in their total lack and denial of accountability!!!!!!!

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downhill · Post by **downhill** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 8:18 pm

Tell you what, lets not all jump on the police are bad, bandwagon.....cuz that simply isn't true.

Can anyone here actually point to one profession that there are not any bad apples?

Some jerks made a terrible mistake.....they should pay but lets not make this out to be a "all law enforcement is bad" then. Cuz that simply isn't true. There are more hero's in law enforement than the press ever reports.

And I say to them reading this.....Thank You...

This was brought about by one rude post...that no longer exists.

brembo · Post by **brembo** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 8:31 pm

Glad that didn't happen to me, cuz once the tazer and mace wore off I'd go after the officer again. Uncalled for power-tripping. I hope that officer loses his job, and its seen to he NEVER has another job where he is in any position to intimidate and scare folks. What a horrible thing to do. I could understand if the dog was bigger and seemed more aggressive, but that was PET for goodness sakes.

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 8:33 pm

Originally posted by downhill
Tell you what, lets not all jump on the police are bad, bandwagon.....cuz that simply isn't true.

Can anyone here actually point to one profession that there are not any bad apples?

Some jerks made a terrible mistake.....they should pay but lets not make this out to be a "all law enforcement is bad" then. Cuz that simply isn't true. There are more hero's in law enforement than the press ever reports.

And I say to them reading this.....Thank You...

This was brought about by one rude post...that no longer exists.

The police are an organization. With the very minute amount of bad cops....you are going to tell me that the good cops can't come together to help this family out?

That is why it behooves ALL of us to do the right thing independently of the group. Integrity first!

I'll tell you what...I'll put my money where my mouth is...if someone can find the names and addresses of this family, I will give them $50 towards a new pet if that is what they want.

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 8:41 pm

UOD..I didn't say they couldn't. And in fact, it would not surprise me to see a group of them somewhere do just that. It wouldn't be the first time, nor the last..

My post is in response to one post, that IMHO, the guy did not think............as there is no reason to single anyone out on this forum....that's all.

Actually after reading your post a bit closer...I'll add to that pot...I'd match your Pic of Benny......that gets us to a hundred bucks..

anyone else?

RoundEye · Post by **RoundEye** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 8:50 pm

Originally posted by UOD
.......you are going to tell me that the good cops can't come together to help this family out?........

The bad part about doing that, is they are admitting that thier fellow officer made a mistake. Right or wrong many cops stick together. I just don't see it happening. The guy made a major mistake, major heartbreak and trauma for the family and I'm sure a his superiors are catching hell too. If anything he should be assigned to a desk job, he has proven that he can't make a rational decision under pressure.

Just wait till PETA gets a hold of this.

mountainman · Post by **mountainman** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 9:10 pm

"and bought the family a new dog without question"

I dont think that is going to solve anything.

Too bad it wasn't that easy.

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 9:11 pm

Originally posted by downhill
UOD..I didn't say they couldn't. And in fact, it would not surprise me to see a group of them somewhere do just that. It wouldn't be the first time, nor the last..

My post is in response to one post, that IMHO, the guy did not think............as there is no reason to single anyone out on this forum....that's all.

Actually after reading your post a bit closer...I'll add to that pot...I'd match your Pic of Benny......that gets us to a hundred bucks..

anyone else?

I'm dead serious....find the names of the family or a website or whatever and I will send them $50 towards a new pet, pet food, a car leash for their dog....whatever.....it's time that people stand up for eachother and do the right thing.

It was a mistake....anyone can make a mistake, but to deny responsibility is a slap in the face of justice itself. This officer is now no better than a common thug.

LT-73 · Post by **LT-73** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 9:13 pm

No offense fearless leader, but i grew up in an area that the police are feared more than the crooks and killers. I can understand they have a stressful job and no situation is safe. What I'm saying is by my own expiriences and the confrontations i've had with police officers was not a pleasant affair. I'm not saying that all cops are bad, it's just hard to trust any of them.

Not too long ago there was a fight in my building and i witnessed the whole thing. When the police arrived they started to ask questions. I immediately came foward and told the police i saw the whole thing. You know what one of the officer's response was to me? " Shut the f**k up!". Another officer came over and ask him what's goin on, he just came out and said that i was causing trouble. When I tried to explain to the second officer what i saw, the first officer just ran up to me,pushed me against the wall and smacked me with his nightstick across the back of my legs. As i fell to the ground, the officer slapped the cuffs on me. The second officer tried to talk to the cop who was arresting me and he said" i'm tierd of this MF butting in an investigation. I told him to shut the f**k up before". Then he turns to me and says " all you spanish MF'er's like to cause trouble".

You're right about them being heros and such and because 1 bad apple doesn't spoil the whole bunch. For me i'd stay away from the whole apple orchard and not even take the chance.

No offense to russell

64bit · Post by **64bit** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 9:14 pm

Originally posted by UOD
I'm dead serious....find the names of the family or a website or whatever and I will send them $50 towards a new pet, pet food, a car leash for their dog....whatever.....it's time that people stand up for eachother and do the right thing.

It was a mistake....anyone can make a mistake, but to deny responsibility is a slap in the face of justice itself. This officer is now no better than a common thug.

They did apologize. http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/local_news/ ... 97,00.html
It was a sad thing no doubt. I dont know all the details but I hope the officer had no malicous intent when he shot the animal. I hope he was just protecting himself and fellow officers.

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 9:27 pm

Been looking for the last half hour.

I can come up with a city but not an address..

Seems the address has been remove from a couple of search engines I've tried..but heres whats in the news..

James and Pamela Smoak
Saluda, North Carolina

mikemean · Post by **mikemean** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 9:28 pm

They should have closed the ****ing door. That just pisses me off. I read the article and watch the video. I feel justified in saying that officer is an *******.

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 9:31 pm

Originally posted by LT-73
No offense fearless leader, but i grew up in an area that the police are feared more than the crooks and killers. I can understand they have a stressful job and no situation is safe. What I'm saying is by my own expiriences and the confrontations i've had with police officers was not a pleasant affair. I'm not saying that all cops are bad, it's just hard to trust any of them.

Not too long ago there was a fight in my building and i witnessed the whole thing. When the police arrived they started to ask questions. I immediately came foward and told the police i saw the whole thing. You know what one of the officer's response was to me? " Shut the f**k up!". Another officer came over and ask him what's goin on, he just came out and said that i was causing trouble. When I tried to explain to the second officer what i saw, the first officer just ran up to me,pushed me against the wall and smacked me with his nightstick across the back of my legs. As i fell to the ground, the officer slapped the cuffs on me. The second officer tried to talk to the cop who was arresting me and he said" i'm tierd of this MF butting in an investigation. I told him to shut the f**k up before". Then he turns to me and says " all you spanish MF'er's like to cause trouble".

You're right about them being heros and such and because 1 bad apple doesn't spoil the whole bunch. For me i'd stay away from the whole apple orchard and not even take the chance.

No offense to russell

Sorry to hear of your misfortune..your city must have an omnibudsman...call him/here and tell your story!

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 9:33 pm

Originally posted by 64bit
They did apologize. http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/local_news/ ... 97,00.html
It was a sad thing no doubt. I dont know all the details but I hope the officer had no malicous intent when he shot the animal. I hope he was just protecting himself and fellow officers.

"We at the Tennessee Department of Safety and the Tennessee Highway Patrol would like to convey our deepest sympathy to the Smoak family for the events of Jan. 1," said a statement read at the news conference by Beth Tucker Womack, public information officer.

"Losing a beloved family pet is difficult at any time, but especially under such circumstances as the ones last week."

Thank-you....case closed imho. At least the organization as a whole stood up and did the right thing. I would still like to offer the family my assistance.

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 9:34 pm

Originally posted by downhill
Been looking for the last half hour.

I can come up with a city but not an address..

Seems the address has been remove from a couple of search engines I've tried..but heres whats in the news..

James and Pamela Smoak
Saluda, North Carolina

I've been looking since this morning and haven't turned up anything.

tHE_0ne · Post by **tHE_0ne** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 9:44 pm

thats sad.

brembo · Post by **brembo** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 10:05 pm

Dang...Saluda, thats just right down the road. Like 20 miles or so. I didn't hear of this in the news today or yesterday, or around new years for that matter. Odd.

TRILL · Post by **TRILL** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 11:29 pm

Odd that some of you are showing so much concern over a dog shot by a cop, when people are wrongly shot and killed by police all the time. Even though the video is not clear enough to be certain, I see a charging dog and hear grawls or barks. I also see the cop backing away in fear as he fires his weapon. Yeah the cries from the family are heartbreaking, but it doesn't change the situation.

TEH WIN · Post by **TEH WIN** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 11:43 pm

although the video isnt too clear, after watching the video it is understandable why teh officer may have been alarmed.

It would have been best to ride it out though, if the dog actually did start to attack him, im sure one of the 3 or 4 officers could have shot the dog very quickly.

that wasnt needed, and could have been prevented

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 11:52 pm

Originally posted by TRILL
Odd that some of you are showing so much concern over a dog shot by a cop, when people are wrongly shot and killed by police all the time. Even though the video is not clear enough to be certain, I see a charging dog and hear grawls or barks. I also see the cop backing away in fear as he fires his weapon. Yeah the cries from the family are heartbreaking, but it doesn't change the situation.

Not really over a dog...over the judement of the officers involved.

Is it normal for the police to shoot every charging dog?

They were not after the dog.....they were after the people and it appeared to me that they not only cooperated fully but were restrained at the time.

Dogs are easy to fend off....just step on their feet.

Bouncer · Post by **Bouncer** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 3:15 pm

Finally saw the tape. (wanted to reserve judgement).

My view is the family will probably be getting a settlement from the city. Probably a fairly hefty one. Two things. One, some yokel on a cellphone telling you maybe a carjacking took place does not probable cause make. Two, the simple fact is there is no way you're going to convince a jury that the dog was dangerous. How many of you think the dog was dangerous? Thought so. And that's the point from the legal side. The city will cave. Quickly, if they have any brains. A court case would cost them far more when the jury sees the tape. They're going to be as angry as a lot of folks here (and elsewhere) are. Angry jurors make for large awards.

I've worked very closely with many fine police over the years, and flat out, the office screwed up.

Look, the force continuum applies to ANY use of force, and it requires, simply, that the officers life or those of others be in immediate danger. Not that he will simply be bit. That he will be killed. UNTIL that point, he can use mace, kicks, billyclubs, the butt of the shotgun to fend the dog off. The point is simple, he went from about step 5 on the force continuum (drawing a weapon) to step 10 (application of lethal force) with no intermediate steps. If I attack an officer he may not kill ME until he believes his life is in danger. Until THAT point, he has to use other methods to subdue me. The same principle applies. And every officer knows this. Including him. It's trained very hard into police officers for obvious reasons.

In truth, you could probably make a case for felony animal abuse and/or discharging a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Regards,
-Bouncer-

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 4:36 pm

I've been thinking about this all day...

IMHO..it wasn't the police that screwed up...it was either a dispatcher or the cell phone call who reported the wallet falling off the car.

I doubt the second thought is even plausible. But somewhere, the lines of communication got gargled.

IMHO..an uncalled for thing to happen. Now, my experience is that calling police dispatch is nothing but a pain in the ass for at least 4 cities and counties that I deal with on a day to day basis. Most act like your bothering them. I"m sure one of them lazy folk, didn't bother to understand what was being said and put out an all points bulletin for some dangerous criminals.....It this was the case, just how were these officers supposed to act?

Just a thought.

Broadsword · Post by **Broadsword** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 4:53 pm

I would have shot the dog if I was that officer too, no way would I let some little mut run up to me and bite my leg, and also risking getting rabies or somekind of virus. He did the right thing if you saw the video. I've been bitten before, 2/3 times the dog was wagging its tail running toward me.