Poor Poochie
Okay, this thing with the cop killing the family dog in Tennessee is now irking me off. They played a response from the policemen who had shot the dog on GMA this morning. The man seemed remorseful and his accounts of the event seemed plausible, he was obviously trying hard, but this didn't seem to console the family at all. I don't begrudge them being pissed off about it, I would be pissed too...but for goodness sake they got an apology from the Governor of the state and the mayor of the town...what else do they or any of the rest of us expect them to get? Evidently they want the policeman reprimanded, but I ask what form of punishment would they have him endure?
I didn't get to listen to the entire story intently, but I heard the word death threat and I assume this is in reference to the policeman. The bottom line is the guy was probably scared out of his wits, the police did think that they were pulling over thieves, it was dark and there were several people in the car. I might be way off base, but I believe these cops were from a fairly small town and it isn't hard for me to imagine that they were all pumping adrenaline like no one's business. Then imagine, in a flash a dog jumps out of the car and heads toward you. What do you think? Somehow I don't think most of us under these circumstances would be checking to see if the dog was wagging his tail in a friendly manner or if the bark was a distinctive unfriendly bark.
Did he overreact? Oh yeah! But, my problem with this sad and unfortunate situation, and it is very sad and unfortunate, is that the cop is having his career and life ripped apart, he's potentially received death threats? As I said...the situation is sad and tragic...most of us hate to see a poor animal get mercilessly blown away by a shotgun...but at the end of the day it was a dog...and in my opinion the loss of a dog does not warrant the destruction of a man's character, life and career.
Comments
I don't know the specifics of this case, so forgive me if I'm missing something, but the issue here (and in many other places where cops shoot first and think later) is that, when carrying a gun, a cop's LAST alternative has to be pulling the trigger. I don't know what kind of dog this was, or how badly the cop or his partner was already being mauled, but discharging his weapon should be a matter of life and death. Unless the dog is making its way onto his partner's throat, it's inexcusable for the cop to use his weapon on the dog.People with this sort of judgement are not far removed from people who shoot people in their doorways because they thought they saw them go for a gun. Yes, cops risk their lives for us, and for precious little thanks. I'll stand up and thank them. But one of the risks they absolutely MUST accept is the risk that they will be hurt because they were too cautious. The alternative is unacceptable: an innocent person being hurt or killed by the officers sworn to protect them.Randy...
Posted by: Randy | February 4, 2003 03:06 PM
I should mention...it's sad about the dog and all, but my issue is more one of the judgement of a police officer, not the loss of a pet. Randy...
Posted by: Randy | February 4, 2003 03:08 PM
Good points, but my point is that the cop in question doesn't deserve to have his life, career and credibilty destroyed over this incident. Does he deserve to be punished for what happened, sure. I just felt, and I didn't make this clear, that things were heading toward character assasination rather than a equitable justice.
Posted by: Jeff | February 4, 2003 03:21 PM