R.I.P. K-9 Dan - Page 1

Very sad.

Nona,
Do you have padlocks on all of your kennels and gates at all times?  Just curious? 

Jim

I do. For that exact reason, although my dogs are usually the ones who let themselves out if not locked in, roof covered. I'm very paranoid about keeping highly intelligent animals in kennels that they could possibly get out of. I have even invested in a metal crate with a lock on the door. Was it obscenely expensive? Yeah, but worth knowing my dog is still in that crate.

Having said that, you certainly don't expect someone to do that, and you don't expect a dog to do that unless the dog has done it before, so you CERTAINLY cannot blame the officer, unless Dan was a known escape artist. If Caleb ever met an end like that, it would be my fault, because I know he will get out of just about anything I devise to keep him in, but in the case of an average dog, a kennel with a closed door should be considered sufficient and responsible management.

RIP Dan.

Jenni,
All the gates going to my yard are locked.  I'm more worried about someone walking in the yard and meeting my dogs more than letting them out.  My yard is posted and I've still had meter readers, landscapers, etc walk into the back yard unannounced.  I don't lock my kennels, but my kennels are covered and the kennel area is surrounded by 6' cedar fence which separates it from the rest of my back yard.    The entrances to the kennel area from the front are kept locked. 

I just found the speculation odd on this thread.
Jim

I'm sure in time the department will do a full investigation as to whether the housing of the dog was satisfactory.

In the meantime, I'm sure the handler is broken hearted.

Jim, how many times does this kind of thing have to happen before the way these dogs are handled is changed? 

Besides the fact that these dogs deserve better protection, they are paid for with taxpayer dollars and as a taxpayer I want some accountability.

I have seen countless stories of police dogs let loose, killed, poisoned, etc. 

This could  be stopped with indoor kennels, locks etc. 

GSDSRULE,
Guess what I pay taxes too, most of us with jobs do.  Give me a break, do you really want me to answer your questions?  I'm hoping they were just rhetorical. 

Jim

Its a lose/lose for LEOs.
Always is.

Secure the kennels with a lock, and dogs will burn inside them because no one can find the key during a fire.