Our Dog Shot By County Cop - Maryland - Page 4

Actually "seriously".

I am a police officer. No situation is unique and split second decisions must be made. However, to clarify the facts, the deputy was serving a Summons to appear. Not an arrest warrant. No p.c. was established indicating the subject was in/on the property. And since it was his last know address with some doubt that he was still there, the deputy has DUTY to make contact with someone at the residence to make firther inquiry if the subject lives there or even is known there. Walking past a large German Shepherd after no answer at the front door was completely bad judgement and unprofessional. As a sworn officer of the law, it is our duty to protect life & property. Not make hasty assumptions and put ourselves in situations that potentially cause harm to the innocent. You know better. This was not a search & seizure warrant. It was a Summons to appear.

Everything is relative. Would we draw down on a drunk that is lying on a sidewalk? Or a child that jaywalked?  Hell no. Was is PRUDENT for this deputy to endanger himself without reasonable cause? Not a chance in hell. He obvisouly has a past history of shooting dogs and probably has no respect for animals and feels the need to establish dominance over them. You know damned well he walked there saying to himself, "Ill walk up to that door and if that fucking dog bites me Ill just shoot it."

Stop and think. We know he didnt.

"My advice is seek out an attorney that specializes in Civil suits and 1983 lawsuits... actions against your civil liberties."

Civil liberties are fundamental rights such as free speech, freedom of the press, the right to assemble, the right to vote, the right to equality in public places, freedom from workplace discrimination and freedom from involuntary servitude.  Owning a dog is not a "civil liberty" as contemplated under 42 U.S.C. section 1983 

I'm just saying everyone only has one side of all this, and I think people are overreacting without knowing everything.

I'm sorry their dog was killed.

I was trying to type all this in between other stuff, I thought she originally said he was wanted on a warrant.   ?    I'll go back and look....

seriously, it was a bench warrant. "The bench warrant was for my step son for back child support.  He had given our address, but he did not live with us.  In fact my husband told the police that day where they could find him and to our knowledge as of today they have not picked him up!  We are in mourning and are at a loss for this senseless murder!"

Sharon Mattia

So, the police were even informed that he was not at that address, meaning the officer had no right to search for him.

Now, having gone to the front door and the side doors, I'm sure he stirred up the dog and got it barking. IMO, you would have to be an absolute fool to know there is a large dog in the back yard, and still enter the yard. Given his past history, he probably was thinking: oh, it's okay, if the dog attacks me, I'll just shoot it!  No big deal, it's just a dog.... 

Oh Sharon,

     My heart goes out to you and your family. Your Max sounds like a great friend and protector. I have found in my years with dogs, is a yard. This stops people coming in, even cops. But, make sure you have it locked. I have had the cops come through my yard searching for criminals on the run, but they don't ask, don't have a warrant and are kind enough to leave gates open so your pups can wonder. This has happened when no one home, thank God my pups love the couch, lol. The ranger has been known to shoot an 8 week old staffy pup because it growled at him.  http://www.edba.org.au/ This site is a good one.

     I hope you get through this and no money they might offer will change the pain. Thank you for sharing your painful story with us. It make me more aware of the dangers that could take my best friend from me, never thought of them shooting them. I will take this and take more time in protecting my mates.

    It is sad but good things can come and getting another friend will help destract you from the pain. I will pray for you to have strength to get through this, we all care. Oh yeah cops have come to my place with warrants to arrest someone and if no one answers the front door they leave and come back later, even ask the neightbours if they know but never have tried to get in my yard with my dogs. Locking it makes them stop too.

   ENA

Mom's and Dad's never lie about where their deadbeat kids are hiding from warrants? Are you serious?

I'm confused then....our area must be different than yours, cause when I go to serve a warrant and they tell me they aren't there, when I search I find better than half hiding under a bed or in a closet....hmmmm. But if you're serious that people can be trusted, I'll quit looking so hard and start believing in the good of mankind again.

And someone, a criminal perhaps would never lie about they're address eigther ???

Seriously in your line of work you should be one of the first to acknowledge that they certainly do lie about they're address,  come on ??

Would you justify breaking into a residence because that's the address listed,  opening fire on a dog that is trying to protect his home,  without first "MAKING SURE THE ADDRESS IS CORRECT" ????

Seriously,

Of course you are correct that people obfuscate and lie day in and day out. I believe the point was that they in fact HAVE a current and valid address for him which they have NOT chosen to pursue.