Update on the Mattia case - Page 1

The Charles County (MD) Sheriff's Office finished their investigation of the case where an officer shot the family's dog upon entering the property with a warrant. To sum up: They came to the conclusion that the shooting was justified because the dog was running loose on the property and bit the officer. It is further stated that the dog supposedly did not wear a collar at all. No traces of blood were found on the broken chain. The owners had maintained that the collar supposedly was "shot off". This seems to support earlier allegations that the dog broke his chain prior to the incidence.

www.somdnews.com/stories/062707/indytop183516_32179.shtml

Chris

Tazers?? Hah. So, where was this cop's tazer, which probably would have stopped the dog far more effectively than his gun?

Guess we'll never know the truth on this one. No withnesses but the dog and the cop. And I can see a choke chain being shot off a dog, and not leaving any bloodstains on the chain. The chain would drop immediately away BEFORE the wound started to bleed.

At least they say they are reviewing their policies. I hope SOMETHING good will come of all this. :(

Charles Sheriff Says Deputy Was Justified to Blow Away Dog; Extends Condolences to Max’s Family

LA PLATA June 25, 2007 ---  An incident last month in which a Charles County deputy shot a dog as many as six times, killing it as it was tied up on it’s owner’s property, has been termed a lawful act of the officer by Sheriff Rex Coffey.

On May 15^th, Officer Christopher Long went to a home on Rt. 231 near Benedict looking for a man who used to live at the residence and in the process of peeking into a garage window was nipped on the rear end by the family pet, which was tied up at the home.

The officer then fired from six to seven shots at  the dog before finally killing it, even though the dog’s owners say that he told others he had petted the dog prior to looking into the garage. 

After the dog, Max, was killed, he was then beheaded so the authorities could run a rabies test.

Sheriff Coffey today released this statement: “A use-of-force investigation has been completed and the Office of Professional Responsibility has reviewed the investigation and conducted an inquiry into the matter. The Sheriff’s Office has determined that PFC Long did not violate any Agency policy during the incident. Based on the thorough investigation and subsequently follow-up inquiry, PFC Long’s actions are determined to have been justified.
The result of the confrontation between the officer and the dog was unfortunate and tragic, and Sheriff Rex Coffey and the members of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office extend their condolences to the Mattia family.”

Followed this story from day one ..... could never believe this was a justified shooting and never will. The conclusion is a major cover-up in any attempt to avoid Legal Proceedings and/or litigation.

Funny that in one article the "report" reads the dog was untied, and in another it states the dog was tied

It appears that Charles County investigators can't even "Clearly" write a report.

It doesn't make any sense to me. I remember photos of the yellow leash or cable and the dogs broken collar on the walk, amonst a bunch of blood. How could the collar not have blood on it?

Also I remember the Mattia's stating the ambulance drivers saying his pants were not torn and he either didn't or barely needed a bandaid. So to me, not really bit.

Also 7 shots always was a bit much, he either is a very bad shot (I do hunt) or was extremely agitated and out of control, not a good thing for a LEO. Its to dangerous to not have self control when carrying a firearm that you have the law on your side to use.

I do think it is a good thing they are going to look into their policies for how to deal with family pets evn if its to late for Max. I do hope the Mattia's pursue this further though.

I, BTW, did donate a small monetary sum to the Mattia's and recieved a very nice Thank You card from Sharron & Joe. Sharron said she would be using the money toward a Memory Bench in a flower garden she had made in memory of Max. Very polite, well spoken lady.

Notice the article says the officer was "Nipped" not bitten.

The article also says in bold red letters that the dog was tied up.

We may never know the truth, but I don't trust an orginization that has the power to investigate itself. Should be an inderpendant investigation IMO.

Also no mention if this particular officer was involved in any other dog shootings.

Ninja - He shot and killed 2 other dogs / thats his history!

Didn't need a crystal ball to see the outcome of this.  The fact is that we live in a police state and the Constitution is no more than a prettily written ancient history document.