Broward sheriff's deputy shoots Dalmatian (correction) - Page 1

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South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

Weston man describes 'nightmare' of deputy shooting dog in yard

By Susannah Bryan

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

November 27, 2007

Fred the Dalmatian is a survivor.

The 11-year-old family pet, shot by a Broward sheriff's deputy more than a week ago, has undergone one surgery and will likely need more. But he may be well enough to come home this week, said Dr. Ronald Ridge, the veterinarian who has been caring for Fred at an emergency center in Pembroke Pines.

The dog's owners, furious over the shooting, anxiously await his homecoming.

"The doctors say he's doing remarkably well for what he went through," said Cliff Esterson, of Weston, who visited Fred on Thanksgiving and again over the weekend. "In people years, he's in his 70s. The fact he even made it this far is miraculous."

While optimistic about Fred's prognosis, Esterson is upset about the dog's injuries.

"He's lying in a cage and can barely stand up," Esterson said. "When I went there, he kissed me for about two minutes. But he can't stand up. It breaks my heart."

Deputy Lisa Damiano, responding to a call about a barking dog, fired two shots at Fred on the morning of Nov. 16. Esterson said his life has been an emotional roller coaster ever since.

"It was very traumatic," he said. "Fred came running in the dog door ... whimpering and you could see his insides."

According to a police report, the deputy heard barking from behind the house. When she walked around to the rear, the dog charged at her through an open screen door, the report says. Afraid for her safety, she fired two shots from her Glock handgun.

Following standard procedure, the Sheriff's Office has opened an Internal Affairs investigation to determine whether the shooting was justified, said agency spokeswoman Keyla Concepcion. Because of the investigation, the deputy is not permitted to comment.

"She came into my back yard," Esterson said. "Didn't ring the doorbell. Didn't knock. Went in the back yard and shot my dog. Just a nightmare."

Esterson, who was getting ready for work at the time, said Fred has never attacked anyone and was barking at a duck.

The dog has an electric collar that allows him to venture into the yard unsupervised and prevents him from leaving by giving him a shock.

Esterson said he thinks the Sheriff's Office should pay his vet bill, which is nearing $15,000. The agency declined to comment, citing the investigation.

Esterson refers to Ridge as an "angel of mercy" who, along with his staff, provides the family with continual updates about Fred.

"He's been a good patient," Ridge said. "Actually, he's been a great patient."

Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sun-sentinel.com or 954-385-7929.

Yet another reason to put up a fence. 

Brittany sad story. I know the area well and there are alot of ducks and lakes. A dog barking and the officer doesnt knock on the door. She messed up, big time. The area is upper middle class .  I dont understand why she could just knock. If people dont stay on the police dept. It will be swept under the rug. Thanks for the story.

sue there are alot of areas in weston that dont permit fences. I hate neighorhoods like that. The Nazi deed restricted chit

If this dog is 11 and they have an invisible fence, the dog stays on its property.  Obviously a fence wouldn't have stopped this officer.  Why should anyone who is being responsible HAVE to get a fence?

Het Brittany - this isn't GSD related.....  Is it?

I'm not saying they should have to have a fenced run, just that it would have prevented the tragedy.  If I lived in an area that didn't allow fencing I would have a dog run attached to the house.  I didn't go into detail because this story isn't about whether or not invisible fencing is a good thing.  We live in a society that (as a whole) does not put the same value on our dogs as we do & nothing is going to change that.  It's kind of like pissing in the wind.  Therefore, it's up to me to do everything I can to protect my dog from society.  This exact situation is one that (at least for those of us with GSDs) is sadly predictable and 100% preventable.  I agree it's not fair & it's not right.  The people had a perfectly nice, nonaggressive, elderly dalmation which didn't deserve to be shot.  They were perfectly in the "right" to have the dog in the yard with the invisible fence - dead right.

I wonder if Jake the pet wonder is being bred to a dalmation?