Posted on 05/16/2009 4:00:46 PM PDT by JoeProBono
Ronald J. Chenette, convicted six months ago in the death of a police dog, knew he was going to prison for life well before Friday's sentencing hearing in Clark County Superior Court. Everyone else knew, too. Ronald J. Chenette, convicted six months ago in the death of a police dog, knew what was going to happen well before Friday's sentencing hearing in Clark County Superior Court. Everyone else knew, too. The sentence was dictated by a "three strikes" law that locks away felons for life after three violent crimes. The absence of suspense, then, maybe explains why nobody who didn't have to be at the hearing showed up, save for Chenette's parents and one other supporter. When Judge Roger Bennett expressed surprise that no officers showed up on behalf of Dakota, a 5-year-old German shepherd owned by the Vancouver Police Department, Deputy Prosecutor Scott Jackson shrugged.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
Death penalty.
It would of been nice if some police showed up at the court.
Is it only police dogs that you equate with humans or is it all dogs?
This is stupid. Killing a dog does not warrant life in prison. I don’t care how expensive the dog is or who owns it.
“The sentence was dictated by a “three strikes” law that locks away felons for life after three violent crimes. “
Police absolutely not necessary for a court appearance wouldn’t be called to court. Shift changes in the interim means their appearance would be “on overtime”—most often sharply curtailed administratively.
The judge pointed out that the three strike rule is unwavering. He said, “Even a shoving match at a 7-Eleven over a bottle of beer could have resulted in life in prison”.
Also the felony committed wasn’t killing the police dog. It was for using a firearm in the commission of a crime.
So you are against all three-strikes laws?
It’s a dog. Three strikes my ass.
Well, I for one would sure want anyone who killed my dog to go to prison for at least life---LOL!
Actually, I'm not quite that bad, but I sure do love my dog and would be devastated if anyone harmed her.
The dog in question was a trained police dog--they are trained to protect their policemen, as well as to attack and bring down a bad guy. This does make them a bit more valuable in the food chain of life, I think.
WHat crime? If the police had not sicked their dog on him, there wouldn’t be any dead dogs.
You are bleating like a sheep. The state owns the dog, therefore it’s more important than a dog that you own.
That should make your blood boil.
I wonder if they prosecute police who shoot homeowners’ dogs while busting in a house on a warrantless, no-knock raid at the wrong address?
How many chances do they want?
THere is a definite double standard. People need to wake up and quit acting like loyal subjects. Killing a police dog is NOT the same as killing a cop. How or why we allowed the dam scumbags to tell it is is infuriating.
A dog has no ability to discern my rights as a citizen or a human being. Therefore any mean dog that threatens me is NOT going to be viewed by me as a police officer. I don’t care if the dam dog is wearing a badge.
If dogs have souls, then what do you have to say about the swiss? They eat st bernard.
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