Police officers killing innocent dogs might be something you've never thought about. But there's evidence to suggest it's more common than we might imagine. According to a story in the Seattle Times, there is no documented incident of a ...
Police officers killing innocent dogs might be something you've never thought about. But there's evidence to suggest it's more common than we might imagine. According to a story in the Seattle Times, there is no documented incident of a dog killing a police officer in the United States. Yet police officers have killed many dogs.
A study by the National Canine Research Council concludes that a majority of intentional police shootings involve dogs. The study says several law enforcement agencies in California indicated that at least half of their police shootings involved animals. The percentage was more in Milwaukee. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to track such statistics nationwide because no government authority documents these killings. Regardless, we've commented and reported on such incidents, including a Pit Bull killed in Riverside, CA, in his own back yard by a police officer who was assisting in an arrest taking place two houses away.
While shooting a dog is a crime in most states, it isn’t a felony. The general tendency of review committees and juries to give police the benefit of the doubt means that those shootings rarely result in formal charges or convictions, or victories in lawsuits brought against departments. This danger to beloved pets exist whether you live in a big metro area such as New York City or a small one such as Vallejo, CA.
If dog shootings weren’t serious enough, dogs are also hit with stun-guns such as Tasers as well as pepper-sprayed, kicked, and and battered with batons or night-sticks. Officers inevitably claim self-defense, and charges are even less likely when they use these “less than lethal” methods.
The Colorado Senate in April passed Senate Bill 226, called “Don’t Shoot My Dog,” which enjoys bipartisan support and is making its way through the Colorado House. The law, which could become a model for other states, requires training for police on how to deal with domestic dogs. The bill would require training in how the animals act and react, and how to minimize the dangers to themselves and the dogs. Further, the bill will require that police receive additional training in the area annually.
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Police dog training by Shutterstock.
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Such trainings are held on topics such as DUI investigation, correct use of pepper spray, and community interaction. Only time will tell whether these trainings, should the bill pass and be signed into law, will reduce or prevent police-on-dog violence.
Dog owners also play a role in protecting our fur children from police. The National Canine Research Council includes as a major factor in the shootings "reckless, uneducated, or inhumane owners." Some of the things we can do involve training and obedience, others involve handling, and still others involve managing certain situations.
Training
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Weimaraner paying attention by Shutterstock.'>
Weimaraner paying attention by Shutterstock.'>
It's safer if you can train your dog not to stand up and bark at the approach of strangers. Weimaraner paying attention by Shutterstock.
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Training is important to keep your dogs safe. Police are most likely to react violently to a d
