Police shoot dog, then cite owner for leash violation, while woman stopping friend from suicide

wisinfo.com ^

[chance33_98]

Police shoot dog, then cite owner for leash violation

The Associated Press

MILWAUKEE — A woman who had just talked a friend out of suicide had her pet cocker spaniel shot to death by a police officer called to her house.

Then the officer handed Valerie Mueller a $120 citation for having her dog, Sprite, outside without a leash.

“I will fight that ticket,” said Mueller, 33, a special education teacher with Milwaukee Public Schools.

Since last weekend’s incident, Mueller has filed a complaint with the city Fire and Police Commission.

At the time of the shooting last Saturday, she and her dog were in the back yard around 2 a.m., waiting for police. When squad cars arrived, Sprite bounded toward the officers.

Seconds later, the 6-year-old, 38-pound Sprite was shot in the head.

“He fell over and flinched,” said Mueller, who was standing about 10 feet behind the dog when the officer fired. “To see him fall over flinching and die right there, it’s just hard to explain.”

The incident happened when police responded to the 911 call reporting a man contemplating suicide. By the time officers arrived, the man, Mueller’s friend, had calmed down.

“I told them, ‘The dog is harmless, don’t hurt the dog,’” said Dave Williams, another friend of Mueller who witnessed the shooting. “Three seconds later, they shot the dog.”

Police Chief Arthur Jones said his department is investigating to see whether the officer was in enough danger to warrant the actions.

Mueller said the officer, Chaquila Peavy, refused to identify herself after she shot Sprite, but Jones said Mueller and her friends never asked for the officer’s name.

Jones said an officer can shoot a dog if the officer “reasonably feels that they’re in danger.”

As to whether an officer could feel threatened by a cocker spaniel, Jones said, “it just depends on the individual and the circumstances.

“We’re going to look into it, there’s no question. There will be an investigation.”

Jill De Grave, education director for the Wisconsin Humane Society in Milwaukee, said police officers should have to prove pet killings are justified.

She suggested that the police department provide officers with training about dogs.

“Every police officer can benefit from training on handling dogs and reading behavior,” De Grave said.

[chance33_98]

Lassie has left the building.

[4mycountry]

Beat me to it. ^.^

[4mycountry]

Well, she shouldn't have left the dog out without a leash, but to shoot the dog is just absurd. They should have just taken in to an animal shelter and called her from there (assuming the dog had a collar and id tag).

[tet68]

People with an overwhelming fear of animals shouldn't BE
in public service.

[najida]

Why on earth shoot a Cocker Spaniel!?! They are mops that drool....geez.........

[chance33_98]

At the time of the shooting last Saturday, she and her dog were in the back yard around 2 a.m., waiting for police.

Never had mine on a leash in the back yard. Though I kept my x wife on one...

[KantianBurke]

Mueller said the officer, Chaquila Peavy, refused to identify herself after she shot Sprite

Aw the lovely seeds of affirmative action bear fruit.

[Jhoffa_]

Did they pose for a "group flex" afterwards?

[jalisco555]

Never had mine on a leash in the back yard.

I have an invisible fence so of course my dogs aren't leashed in the back yard. What a horrible story.

[4mycountry]

What the....?

OK, where are my glasses, why didn't I see that?! *bangs head on keybaord*

[Alas Babylon!]

The officer shot the dog with the owner and the dog were TOGETHER in the backyard. There was no need to find an owner; she was right there. The owner's friend, also there at the time, told the officer the dog wouldn't hurt her. She shot it anyway, because it was running toward her. Sounds like cowardice to me, on the part of the officer. If I shot a dog running up to me I'd probably be in jail. Doesn't matter if I was scared or not.

[chance33_98]

I have an invisible fence

I have invisible friends. Don't tell the wife but one of em keeps hitting on me.

[4mycountry]

keybaord=keyboard

WHERE ARE MY GLASSES?!?

[chance33_98]

[4mycountry]

>>>If I shot a dog running up to me I'd probably be in jail. Doesn't matter if I was scared or not.

How come cops can shoot a dog and no one gives a second glance, but if a civilian shoots a dog, it's immediate jail time? Makes no sense.

And uh, I kinda didn't see the part about the backyard. Sorry. ^^;

[4mycountry]

*falls over and dies*

[texas_fool]

Why on earth shoot a Cocker Spaniel!?! They are mops that drool....geez.........

Calling the police was the first mistake. People should deal with their own problems and yes that goes for dealing with burglars too!

[Trust but Verify]

There was no reason to shoot the dog. A cocker spaniel? A definite overreaction by the stupid cop. On talk radio someone pointed out that it was 2AM and maybe the cop couldn't see that it wsn't a more dangerous animal, but she got it in the head with one shot, so she must've had a pretty good look at it.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

You cannot blame the police for being frightened of a cocker spaniel.

Being a cop is almost as dangerous as being a gardener.

U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Fatalities per 100,000 Year 1999
Commercial Fishermen	162
Timber Cutters	154
Air Pilots	65
Construction Laborers	37
Garbage Collectors	34
Truck Drivers	28
Electricians	12
Gardeners (non farm)	11
Police	11
Carpenters	7