Officer shoots dog during foot chase thru dog's backyard. Right or wrong? - Page 17

I said unnecessary killings and you say "accidental".  Where else did I say unnecessary, except in that instance, so how is that a play on words?  You don't kill without firing your weapon, and I hope you don't fire it accidentally.  Makes sense to me.

Jim, I wasn't referring to you, but mr. psychoanalyst here,

You state relatives, friends etc. are LEO and you attempted to go that route....... Remember when without knowing any of that information I stated something to the effect that you had a "ax to grind" or a "bone to pick?" Is this part of the reason? If so then that would open some of our eyes a little wider and help us understand a little better.
 

Please....... I would hope that a LEO knows better than to discharge his firearm accidently.

You are making no sense to me.  Sorry.  You're not saying the dog was accidentally shot, are you?

NO. Too early in the morn, another time. 

Slamdunc,

I avoided this thread, because I knew it would, eventually, have to come down to your question: "My question remains: with the information we have what could the officer have done differently? " [ Emphasis added]

The answer, IMO, is simply,  we don't know.  We do not have all the facts, and probably never will.  We don't know the LEO's level of training, familiarity with dogs, what the dog was actually doing, etc.   Would my opinion be different, if I learned that the LEO actively trained in schutzhund and was an experienced helper?  Probably not--how the hell is he, or anyone supposed to read a dog , in the dark, on the run, with adrenaline high, as opposed to on a training field? 

We do have examples of LEOs who are experienced with dogs, were expereicned schutzhund trainers and competitors, were  (or have been) helpers and teaching helpers, who have shot someone's family dog, while on duty.  Even that individual was second-guessed.  The second-guessers may even have been correct.  But, a dog is still dead and a family is still possibly devastated by the manner of the loss.  

Mystere,
I completely agree with you.  I think it is tragic for the dog and the dogs family.  As you have stated and I have stated we don't have all of the facts.  The key for me in the whole story is confronting the fleeing felon while being charged by the dog.  That certainly limits your options.  I do like to second guess people or rush to a judgment until I have all of the facts.  That is one of "my rules" that I live by.  I try to keep and open mind and remain objective until I have all of the facts.  That is my big issue with this thread; all of the speculation and misinformation.  But after 17 pages it seems that no one has a good way to fend off the dog and safely take the suspect into custody.  Regardless of the level of training, or competence a skilled well trained Officer would have trouble safely taking the violent felon into custody with the dog charging. 

On the bright side, I think Daryl understands my point of view now even if some others don't get it.    

Jim

I think everyone understands you Jim. Go listen to that video posted in the OT section about the male and female brain. http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/belgian_malinois/bulletins.read?mnr=473812

What your not understanding is .. what happened to Rocco is wrong not right. He was at home, in a fenced in area and was shot dead because of a split second decision by a stranger who entered his yard. What happened to Rocco is criminal and/or should be.

BE,
I understand what happened is not right and should not have happened.  The POS felon should not have committed the home invasion, fled from the Police and entered Rocco's yard causing the confrontation and the ultimate death of Rocco.  I think compensation should be paid and the suspect locked up for a long time. 

I can't really say what I think, but it's a shame the dog got shot and the suspect was ok.   

BE,
I just watched that video of the male brain vs the female brain....well that explains a lot.  I can definitely relate.  That clip was great. 

Jim