Rains County Deputy Shoots Victim's Dog

[Excaliber]

This is the first time I recall hearing about an officer being disciplined for shooting someone's dog. Good for the Sheriff.

And good for the citizens who expressed their concern in whatever way they did.

In the report I saw, the Sheriff said that officials had received an overwhelming number of calls and messages from the citizens in the county that demanded immediate action be taken in this case...and he responded.

The difference is the sheriff is an elected official and is directly responsible and accountable to the citizens through elections.

Appointed chiefs are not.

[rbwhatever1]

Good for the citizens. The ex-Deputy received exactly what he deserved.

Hmmm. That dogs barking at me. I'll just show him who's boss as soon as I get this vehicle in park and open the door. What a complete moron.

[talltex]

The difference is the sheriff is an elected official and is directly responsible and accountable to the citizens through elections.

Appointed chiefs are not.

Exactly...he knew if he DIDN'T respond immediately, he wouldn't have any chance to be re-elected next term.

[nightmare69]

Did the officer have an ASP or OC spray or any other type of non lethal? If it was me I would have gone for my ASP first if I felt the dog was going to bite before going to lethal force.

[tomtexan]

The ex deputy has now hired an attorney. It also appears that the dog owner and his wife plan to hire legal counsel as well. This is going to get really interesting in the months to come.


Update: Deputy who shot family dog hires attorney

[mojo84]

Did he hire one or is a union providing one for him?

[Oldgringo]

Wasn't it in Rains County where some misbegotten youth put a live dog in a fire some time back?

[nightmare69]

Did he hire one or is a union providing one for him?

If he was apart of CLEAT I would have definitely called and got an attorney.

[CHLLady]

This is such a sad and needless thing to happen. He did not have to get out right away, he could have waited for the owner. If he was so worried about the dog in the first place why pull up so close to the back of the truck where the dog was in the first place?! Anyone with dog experience or a few shows of the Dog Whisperer knows that dog was not aggressive on video. He was barking and wagging his tail. To me, he's doing his job, letting his owner know a stranger is here and he's gonna investigate, when he jumped out.

I'm glad this sheriff fired him. It turns my stomach the owner had to drown his own dog to put it out of its misery.

I wonder about my state, I really do. A man can't be in his own garage, holding his own gun without being shot to death, people's homes being bulldozed by mistake, police home invasions on the wrong houses, etc. I'm sorry, I know people are human, but there should be more severe consequences for these types of extreme mistakes. Doesn't anyone double check anything anymore? And since I'm on a rant anyone else that forgets or leaves their babies in their hot cars to die should be left out in the desert for a day with no water. Make that 3 days! No more babies dying in hot cars!

Carry on...

[talltex]

This is such a sad and needless thing to happen. He did not have to get out right away, he could have waited for the owner. If he was so worried about the dog in the first place why pull up so close to the back of the truck where the dog was in the first place?!

Yep! He was parked right behind the truck and could clearly see the dog barking and agitated before he ever got out of the car. It was 2 hours after the burglary had been reported before he arrived to take a report. He could have sat in the car and waited until the owner got off the tractor and came over if he was afraid of being bitten or he could have driven somewhere else away from the owners truck before getting out. There was no urgency to get out and "take control" of the situation. Evidently, according to one report, he had been bitten by a dog at some point in his life, and was afraid of being bitten...all the more reason to stay in the vehicle or go park elsewhere. All it takes is using a little common sense to avoid putting yourself in that situation, and you don't have to worry about whether to use your Asp or pepper spray or a gun first.

[Pawpaw]

These days, common sense should be classified as a super power.

[jmra]

These days, common sense should be classified as a super power.

It does seem to be about as common as a super hero.

[Excaliber]

Did he hire one or is a union providing one for him?

If he was apart of CLEAT I would have definitely called and got an attorney.

Keep in mind that in most sheriff's offices deputies are not hired or fired under civil service rules.

The sheriff hires and the sheriff fires.

Unless he violates anti discrimination rules, that's pretty much the end of the story.

[gregthehand]

Here is the report with the dashcam: http://www.kltv.com/story/25335952/dash ... ooting-dog

After watching the video I really don't see how he was in any danger. I think he even makes a kissing sound and says "come'on boy". I don't hear the dog barking or anything and then the sound goes out from the gunshot. I'd say he showed a serious lack of judgement and I'm not surprised he was fired. Having said that I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't wind up working somewhere else either.

[jmra]

Here is the report with the dashcam: http://www.kltv.com/story/25335952/dash ... ooting-dog

After watching the video I really don't see how he was in any danger. I think he even makes a kissing sound and says "come'on boy". I don't hear the dog barking or anything and then the sound goes out from the gunshot. I'd say he showed a serious lack of judgement and I'm not surprised he was fired. Having said that I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't wind up working somewhere else either.

No excuse, no justification. Where is PETA?