Arrest in dog rescue outrages pet lovers

Tennesseean.com ^

[Ben Bolt]

This is where you start to collect your thoughts . No doubt the circles will come shortly after .

[wolficatZ]

[TheCrusader]

The cops arrest a guy who just lost his home to a fire because he went in to resucue his beloved dog? I don't know whether to laugh or cry. These police today take themselves waaay too seriously in these type of situations. I believe in police, law and order; but I think we are living in very unusual times for America. Everyone is a "criminal" these days. The war on terror aside, the police have been given too much authority. Was a time when a cop would have to think twice about arresting a citizen without good cause. If this man was a woman they'd call her a hero for her actions even if it caused a team of firefighters to go in and rescue her, (does the name Jessica Lynch ring a bell?). This is just disgusting.

[lilylangtree]

Depends upon the situation. I would make every effort to save my animal. However, there's a point in every situation that makes it too dangerous to attempt. I don't think Martin should have been arrested.

[Drammach]

VISIT BEAUTIFUL TENNESSEE. WE'LL KILL YER DOG FER YA.

[Ben Bolt]

And this is where you find yourself . A like minded poster so you think . The pattern gets to be seen again .

[NormsRevenge]

Thanks for the clip, I hope those sworn to defend life and property are proud of their actions or lack therof. (Yes, I am pissed . So?)

[Slings and Arrows]

Go dog go!

[ihatemyalarmclock]

Truly, firefighters are better at rescuing people (and animals) than the general public. And if a firefighter had been injured or worse because of the pet owner's rash behavior, I can certainly see bringing him up on serious charges.

As things turned out, though, the finger-wagging "no-no-no's" are generating far more negative publicity than would have occurred by simply leaving the man alone.

[Fred Mertz]

Man's best friend. Is that the real footage?

What are all those public servants doing with their hands on their hips and thumbs....

[Fraulein]

Give it a few more posts and you'll have some bootlicker hoping the guy gets to share a cell with 'bubba'

At the moment it appears that many of them are preoccupied over on the Waco threads, arguing that Koresh & Co. got what they deserved. I'm sure they will be over here soon enough.

[Mulder]

Someone encroached upon their "personal turf", and they are using (abusing) the law to punish that person.

Here's what should happen:

1) The homeowner should be reimbursed for his time that agents of state wasted and trauma that agents of state inflicted. A public apology should be made with the mayor on his knees while doing it.

2) The arresting officers should be dismissed from their jobs and brought up on federal charges of violating the homeowner's civil Rights.

3) The firefighters (if any) who suggested that the homeowner be arrested should be fired and charged with conspiracy to violate the subject's civil Rights. (This is a federal crime also).

4) All those involved in lesser aspects of the event who were "just doing their jobs" should be required to take a class on individual Rights and the role of the peace officer in a Free society. The course should be taught by someone like Walter Williams or Nat Hentoff. They should pay for the class out of their own pockets. Those that fail should be fired.

[keri]

He loves his dog, doesn't he...

The police are just wrong on this one. The charges should be dropped.

[HairOfTheDog]

meant a firefighter would've had to risk his life to go in there and get him.

Watch the video of what he did.... He never went in, he just broke the slider and the dog ran out.

Video Here: Man Arrested for Enter Burning Home

[Orangedog]

These rules exist for a reason. Tough call, but in the end sometimes you have to go with the letter of the law.

Sometimes following the letter of the law violates the trust and undermines the respect of the people it is there to protect, as well as that of those sworn to uphold it. Is arresting this man going to foster respect for the police, or help breed contempt for them? If the police wanted to do take action against the pet owner they should have issued him a ticket. Arresting him was out of line under the circumstances.

[savedbygrace]

Tough call, but in the end sometimes you have to go with the letter of the law.

Save the BS, Bill. These things are never tough calls for you. Instead, you always side with the "authorities". Always.

[Mulder]

Was a time when a cop would have to think twice about arresting a citizen without good cause

That was back when they were "peace officers" instead of "law enforcement officers".

There are still some great ones out there who truly honor their oaths to "protect and serve", but the percentage is declining as more and more thugs and revenue agents are hired.

Many cops cause far more problems than they solve.

[HairOfTheDog]

But is it worth it to put firefighters' lives potentially at risk?

To go break a sliding glass door you can see your dog on the other side of? - Who has time to sit and weigh all the potential risks? It is an emergency, and if you have guts, you do what this man did. The potential risks were overestimated obviously, because the fire didn't blow up and no one was hurt. So must we follow the orders of the most risk-averse fireman who shows up at the scene? - Or do we do what we think is what we must do?

[Drammach]

You'd make a good judge.. LOL

[redeard]

Based on the article, the only things he could be charged with are: disobeying a lawfull order ( he was told not to go into the building) and disorderly conduct ( reason same as above) He cannot be charged with reckless endangerment because of the self-stated policy of the fire department. According to the department, the firefighters will enter a fire to rescue a person, pet, etc. when they have knocked the flames down to a safe(?) level. If this is the case the fact that this man entered the building should have had NO affect on the firefighter's decision of when to enter the building. If it were to make a difference then they are lying about their policy of when to enter a building. I would have done the same thing to save my dog!