Danville police shoot, kill growling miniature dachshund
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Danville officer shoots and kills 12 pound dog;...
A Danville Police Officer shoots and kills a 12 pound dog, and the owners don't understand why.
Killer, who died Monday night after being shot once, was described as “just a little house dog.“
DANVILLE -- Danville's police chief says one of his officers acted properly by shooting and killing an 11-year-old miniature dachshund that ran at him while growling.
Neighbors said Killer, who died Monday night after being shot once, was a sweet, mild-mannered dog.
"He just kind of walked up and down the neighborhood and didn't bother anybody," said Jenine Edmunds, who lives on the same cul-de-sac as Killer's owners, Tawaiin Harper and his family. "He was just a little house dog."
Police Chief Philip Broadfoot declined to name the officer who shot and killed the dog while serving two outstanding warrants to a neighbor.
As the officer returned to his car, "he was surprised by a growling dog running through the yard directly at him from the rear, leaving him with just seconds to consider his options," according to the a release from Broadfoot.
The options, according to the chief: running to the squad car, distracting the dog or using pepper spray, a baton or firearm.
Broadfoot said the dog lunged at the officer and attacked him.
"Shooting a dog which is actively presenting a threat to an officer is within the department's policy," according to the release.
Harper said he drove home from work to try to comfort his wife and two children after they called to say Killer had been shot to death by the officer.
The officer's supervisor, a lieutenant, "was very, very remorseful," Harper said. "He kept apologizing. And he said, 'I know apologizing can't bring the dog back, but I just don't know what to say.' "
Harper said friends and neighbors have asked if the family will get another dog.
"You can't replace Killer. He's one of a kind. I'm still trying to soak it in because the dog had been with us so long. He was a family member. They took a family member away."
-- Media General News Service
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Reader Reactions
Dchristie- AMEN. You said it all perfectly. There is NEVER justification for shooting a dog as small as this and there is Never a justification for upholding someone doing this. Danville citizens need to take a strong look at the people they have hired to uphold the law.
This story is about those who seek power being exactly the personality types that should be restrained from obtaining power - by definition.
If somebody is such a spineless, low-down, cowardly, unconscionable, miserable punk that they can’t fend off a miniature Dachshund without opening fire, nobody is safe from this kind of vermin with a badge.
The dog was just doing what it’s hard wired to do. An average miniature Dachshund weighs about 10 lbs.
It simply demonstrates such rank, craven cowardice and disregard for the families this loser is being paid to protect, that it boggles the mind.
And what is also mind boggling is that the yellow coward’s conduct was defended by his fellow craven criminals with badges down at “Police” HQ.
This means the “Dirt-bag in Blue” is still out marauding around looking for another victim to murder in ‘self defense”
How do you defend yourself against cowardly criminals with badges?
I’d rather take my chances with the more ethical criminals who don’t hide behind the color of authority.
Dogs are like little kids, they get into everything and don’t know danger. That’s why responsible pet owners don’t let them roam the neighborhood.
Sure they sometimes get out but from what I’ve read these folks had an open door policy and Killer was free to roam as he pleased.
Had the owners been responsible pet owners to begin with, none of this would have happened. The cop could have handled it differently as well.
I’m sorry for the dog but not the owners and not the cop. The species (human) that is supposed to have the higher IQ didn’t in this case.
Ok, they named this peaceful, mild-mannered little house dog Killer, and let him roam the streets apparently. Leash law, anyone? The officer was in the right to protect himself from any growling aggressive animal for fear of rabies if nothing else.
....so the guy has a baton, mace, stungun, and feet to protect himself. His first choice is a gun. I repeat, the guy has a taser, billie club, maybe mace, feet, and fists to protect himself. His first and only choice is a gun. And then the police chief is out of town, without email connections, so everyone has to wait until the chief gets back. And of course, as a good cop, he has to fully support his guy because that is how he got to be where he is.
pflady - you are right to be more concerned of the silent dogs then of the barking ones.
Howard - REALLY bad advice! People please do not chain your dog!!!!! Every study conducted (as would a bit of common sense)has proven that chained dogs are indeed more aggressive and dangerous than unchained dogs. There are numerous more humane and much more effective ways of containing a dog for their safety. All sorts of people including the postal service, as well as meter readers and the list goes on are confronted everyday with dogs barking at them and not one of them carry a gun to protect them!!!
I guess hearts and minds are for people other than US citizens. There where a 100 ways to take care of that problem without killing the dog. On top of that, if you are on someone elses property what gives you the right to kill a dog on that property. For all he knows the dog is a resident protecting his own house and would never leave the yard (Which is all the law says you have to do) Does this mean that if I go to my neighbors house and thier dog is in their front yard I can kill it if I feel threatened?
Why is it that cops get to do anything they want on someone elses property?
Personally I think the cop should be arrested on charges of Animal abuse, removed from his job, and forced to pay resistution of the owner of the dog.
The cop was not disabled ,not a child, had a baton,could have spayed or kicked .He chose to be a wimp an idiot and shoot this little dog.Oh he was or could have so dangerous is a bunch of crap.
Sounds like they should have sent a postman to secure the area before the cop arrived.
This is definitely worth a lawsuit just for the publicity and financial support it will generate. Get ready for your 15 minutes of fame. I’m in, let us know where to send donations to the cause.
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