Policemen Who Shoot Dogs

[jsr]

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/02/policemen-who-shoot-dogs/283764/

Policemen Who Shoot Dogs
A journalist is tracking incidents of gratuitous pet deaths around the country.
Conor Friedersdorf | Feb 12 2014, 7:56 AM ET

A police officer in Filer, Idaho explained the incident to a colleague minutes after it happened: "I get out to talk to the people, two dogs come around me, one of them's growling and snarling. I kick it. It comes back around, now it's growling and snarling. I kick it again. Then it lunges at me, I'm like, fuck you. So, I just shot it."

He doesn't sound broken up.

Yes, Officer Tarek Hassani exited his car on a quiet suburban street, kicked a black labrador twice, shot the dog, and left it to die in a snowy driveway. And then?

He issued its angry, upset owner a $100 ticket for having it off-leash.

[chrisa]

1. I think they see it more as "Finally, an opportunity to use my gun."

There are situations where it's justified, like being attacked, but other ones, such as walking up to a dog on a leash and shooting it - those are murder fantasies coming to fruition.

These types would have no problem shooting humans too. They might even find it enjoyable. Then, they'd be the type to go back to their other cop buddies and brag about how "awesome" it was.

[Downwinder]

2. Never had a Lab challenge me. Course i never kicked one.

[lpbk2713]

3. Anyone who knows dogs will know kicking will be perceived as an aggressive act.

And the dog will respond in a like manner. And anyone who would really like to shoot a dog would choose to escalate the situation in this manner. The use of a firearm in a residential neighborhood should not be decided upon casually. The shooter in many situations would have the option of backing off and letting someone familiar with the animal calming it down or restraining it.

[newfie11]

4. That's exactly right

He made the situation worse.

[Beringia]

5. Sounds like someone

who thinks there is absolutely no repercussions to shooting a family dog. It is a nuisance, and so dispatch it.

[magical thyme]

6. trigger happy pig. he was in trouble in the recent past for shooting a person too.

thank dawg I live in Maine, where the cops seem to be dog-loving, dog-smart people.

RIP Hooch. You were only doing your job, protecting your home and your people from a cowardly bully with a gun.

[liberalmuse]

7. My former co-worker's hubby is a cop.

He and his partner went to a domestic dispute and his partner was attacked by the family's pit bull. His hand was mangled, but neither even thought of shooting the dog. So not all cops are trigger-happy. However, that this happens at all (cops shooting the family dog) does not make these incidences any less disturbing.

[IDemo]

8. This is far from unusual here in Idaho

There have been several recent dog executions by cop with no repercussions to the officer involved.

[Jesus Malverde]

9. The video is sickening..

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=41d_1392084950

[fujiyama]

10. This just pisses me off

and usually these ass hole thugs aren't disciplined. If they do it's a slap on the wrist. If a cop is so laid back about shooting a dog, what's to say he won't use it on another human? Oh wait, many do that too.

It's no wonder fewer and fewer people trust the police.