Whose fault is it anyway? - Page 1

http://www.ktvu.com/news/26359810/detail.html?cxntlid=cmg_cntnt_rss&taf=fran

Pagre Hans
http://www.alpinek9.com

The Police Handler would never allow anyone else to walk around with his service pistol, why then allow someone to walk around with his service dog?

Handler error for one, also the story never mentioned whether the Spitz was on a leash. Trouble waiting to happen.

Kim

Kim +1

This is a very sad story. The article never said what type of work the dog performs for the PD or whether the Spitz was showing signs of aggression prior to the attack.

The officer / handler of the dog should be removed from the K9 team. This incident shows that the handler is irresponsible. The dog should not be held accountable. Just  my opinion.

Wonder what Slamdunk would say?

C

Very unfortunate situation and I feel sorry for the spitz and it's owner's.  I can't fathom why anyone but a handler would be out walking a K-9.  There is so much additional liability in having a K-9 and working a K-9 on the street.  I don't have an issue with a dog being dog aggressive and would not fault the dog.  It is obvious the dog or any dog for that matter, not just a Police K-9 should be out with someone that can not handle it.  It goes ten fold for a PSD.  

I have two GSD's, both raised from pups.  Both trained one in SchH and one a K9.  If my personal dog, not my K9 got loose and attacked another dog it's one thing.....However, if my K9 gets loose and attacks another dog it is a huge thing and National news.  I could lose my job, be put out of the unit, loose the dog, sued civilly.  Having and working a K-9 is huge responsibility and mishaps like this should never happen.   

I can't think of a valid reason for someone other than the handler to be out walking this dog, certainly someone that can not control the dog.  But, I'll wait for more details to come out before passing any further judgement.     

Jim

Probably the handler's, just with the details given. There is a lot of ifs, though. What if the person took the dog for a walk without the handler's permission. Seeing as it seems to live with that person, the person might have thought it was okay. Or, if the other dog was aggressive. Who knows, there's never enough details.

But, strange question to people own k9 dogs. I thought that they were sometimes given away after they were retired? Doesn't that mean that average people own ex-k9 dogs? I could definitely be wrong, I just remember someone trying to give me one once.

Also, what does dog aggression have to do with be a police k9? Why would a one even have any dog aggression, aren't they commonly worked around other dogs? But since it obviously does, will that matter to it's job? The person said the dog shouldn't work anymore, but that sounds silly to me. I don't have anything to do with police dogs, so I really have no clue. I'm just being curious. :)

leffew4116, 

Makes sense what you say.  If a K-9 is dog aggressive but only the handler can control him and prevent anything from happening and call him off then only that handler should handle him.  Just say there was a foot chase going on and the dog was sent in.  The handler is right behind him and if there was another dog encountered the dog would be given a command and redirected.  (hopefully he'd listen, the're still dogs no matter what extent of training).  I don't think anyone but the handler should have been walking this dog w/o the training the handler has.  That's why he's the handler.  And, if he didn't specifically tell his family not to walk the dog w/o him then he too is at fault.  If he did and they didn't listen he shouldn't be held accountable although I"m sure he still will be but because of their negligence.

It is obviously the K9 Officer's fault.   He has the responsibility for handling his dog -- I cannot imagine a member of his family or a friend taking his dog out for a walk without the Officer's permission.    The person who was walking the K9 stated that they "could not control the dog."    It will be interesting to follow this story.

Leffew, Police K9's are typically dominant, alpha type dogs. At least the ones we select. Some of our dogs are great with other dogs and some are dog aggressive. Many will tolerate other dogs until they get in their face. My dog happens to be very dog aggressive and on lead with someone else would probably react the same way. He won't do it with me however, I do not tolerate dog aggression. I would prefer that my dog was friendly to other dogs. It would make both of our lives easier. It is never going to happen and I've tried. Since my dog is dog aggressive I can control his behavior, but I can't change his nature. That is part of his temperament. That is one reason my wife never, ever walks him. Even though he lives with us and she has raised him from 7 weeks. She does not have the control necessary to handle him if needed.