Denver, CO, GSD shot - Page 1

http://tinyurl.com/2x43fe

In short: the owner was playing his music to loud and neighbors called police. They rang the door bell, GSD starts to bark, owner opens door, cop shoots dog in head. Dog stumbles, profusely bleding, into kitchen. Cop closes kitchen door, cuffs owner, pulls him out of the apartment, then calls animal control. The owner wasn't allowed to look after his dog and didn't see him again for 10 hours. The dog survived surgery but still has a bullet lodged in his shoulder.

Nasty!

There are those that believe our guns should be taken away.... if we don't voice our opinions they may take our "Barking Dogs" away next because they feel "threatened". The dog was only doing what this breed is bred to do, bark to alert his owner, and he gets shot for it...... says a lot doesn't it.

You know I am probably going to get my head bit off, but after more than 20 yrs of being in and around law enforcement, too many people are ready to jump the gun and blame officers for shooting dogs without asking questions. You guys  need to remember that these officers put their lives on the line everyday for their prospective comminuties. Most of the time they go out on calls without proper information or misleading information, they have to make decisions in a split second. I know some of you are saying "but it was only a loud music call" well even those no nonsesense calls can be deceiving.  They smart officer must never let his guard down and assume it's just an easy call.  At least not here in Dallas. You officers that work in big cities know what I mean. It is easy to point fingers and blame when most of you do not know what a life in law enforcement entails. All the close calls and all the times they think they might not make it home. It is a blood curdling, heart stopping sound, when an officer needs help and you can't get their in time to help. Until you hear his last breath, none of you know how difficult it is.  That  being said, I believe that alot of these incidents could have been avoided if the owner had handled the situation better. Alot of times the owner is to blame for putting their so called beloved animal in this predicament. Some people should not own a dog, much less a german shepherd.  Remember that officer coming to your door might not have all the information he needs for a call and all he has to protect himself if he needs to is his gun. There is nothing between him and yourself but the door. He doesn't know your dog nor does he know who you are, these animals are paying the ultimate price because some senseless dog owner puts his dog in harms way to try to intimidate anyone coming to his property . I too have my dogs that will bark when someone comes to the door and I will take the dog to the door with me, however the dogs are well behaved and sit at my side watching.  They do not bark or lunge or give any indication that they will bite. Our dogs will know before us if someone is their to hurt us because they sense it , but please people let's not always blame the officer for protecting himself.  

Debbie  

I hope they do investigate the shooting - because cops doing their jobs or not, they should not be allowed to just pull a gun and shoot someone's dog - or a person - without a VERY good reason.  A dog barking IN his own home, is not a good reason.  How terrible.  I hope the owner sues the crap out of this police officer and department.  There are other ways, keep that gun in the holster unless it's really a life and death situation.

molly

Debbie, not by everybody....

Any time we have somebody come to our door, we look through the window, see who it is, and crate the dogs BEFORE opening the door.  Such an easy fix, say "just a second while I put up my dog."  At least put a leash on the dog and hold it back when you open the door.

 Without being there it is hard to judge.

I hope they investigate too. Two officers at the home of a 11 year old GSD that "barks" at the door, owner opens door because he is expecting "friends" to be there...., it's TWO officers, dog gets shot in head... I think every home should have a "Barking Dog" to alert the owner when something is up...  I want my dog to bark as I am opening my door too... I live by myself and I feel more secure answering that door, especially when I don't know who is on the other side.....   God Blessed that barking dog, he lived through a gun shot to the head..  something to think about isn't it....

When I was single and first moved into a house, I had the police visit me at 3am.  I live in the country and my neighbor told me to leave them outside until I finished my kennels. Like a dumbass, I listened to him.  Apparently, the dogs were barking and I didnt hear them because I have central air and the windows were closed.  My neighbor called the cops and when they arrived, the dog in the house woke me up.  We went to the door and the dog charged the door and hit the window barking.  All I could see was a flashlight backing up 10'.  The officer stayed back while I opened the door.  I had the dog next to me in a heel position and the police and I talked.  They asked if they were all shepheds and I lied and said yes.  They told me to keep them quiet and I told them this was only for 2 days and I will be keeping them in until the kennel was finished.  They went on their way pleasantly.  Not once did they even reach for a gun.  I don't know this situation and none of us do.  I had control of my dog when the door was open.  I can't say that for this guy.

Quote:  that these officers put their lives on the line everyday for their prospective comminuties.

Really?? Were they forced??? No they were not, and they are not all the great heros that SOME people think that they are. You rarely hear anyone dispute that firefighters are heros, but not so much with cops. Most of us don't think handing out tickets for lights out, or 5 mile an hour over get to have the "hero" or "lives on the line" designation.

Sorry, I do not hate cops, but a hero takes a bit more than traffic stops for me. Besides, if their lives were SO " ON THE LINE" all the time we would have dead in the numbers that we do in Iraq in just one city.

Shooting a dog without provocation is just pussy.