Another pet dog was shot to death by an off-duty police officer in Cypress, Texas last Friday. Houston Officer, Mark Condon, has stated his neighbor’s four-year old boxer attacked him, his wife and their dog, according to KTRK TV Station. He said all three had sustained injuries. He also said he was “very sorry that the neighbors lost their dog, but I felt I had no other choice under the circumstances.”
Not so says the 12 yr. old neighbor, Dalton Fitzhenry, who received the dog, Gunner, as a Christmas present in 2009.Dalton says Gunner was only sniffing the other dog like he always does. According to CBS affiliate KHOU-TV, Dalton said, “He just like, pulls [the gun] out point blank range and shot.”
Apparently, Dalton was playing baseball when a ball flew out of his yard. He opened the gate and Gunner got out. He went over to the off-duty police officer’s dog while he was walking with his wife and kids. This is where their versions differ. The officer claims they were attacked and Dalton says it didn’t happen that way. The Houston Police Dep’t is investigating.
Gunner was shot in the neck and died on the way to the animal hospital.
This has come on the heels of the three Hawthorne police officers who have been taken off street patrol after the shooting death of another dog, Max. The police officers handcuffed Leon Rosby for videotaping an armed robbery arrest and getting too close to the scene with his dog. Rosby placed Max in his car. Max jumped out and walked over to his owner and the police officers with one shooting Max four times. Max convulsed and died in front of horrified onlookers.
In the recent case, the shooting occurred 30 feet away from the 12 yr. old Dalton.
Police shooting pet dogs has seen a definite increase in awareness through social media and other websites.
If this was you or me in our backyards, how many of us would have a gun handy to shoot a neighbor’s dog? Several years ago, my dog, Shadow, was on his property minding his own business when a very large dog spotted him and charged him. Thankfully, my husband was able to grab Shadow just in time before the dog would have attacked my dog. We handled the situation without the use of a gun.
There are other ways to deal with dogs. Do police really need to shoot pet dogs even if the dog appears as a threat? Aren’t they trained to avoid shooting at all cost? It appears that is not the case.
The Hawthorne Police Department has stated their police officers do not shoot in the air nor do they shoot in the leg if they feel threatened by a dog. They shoot the dog.
Something needs to change. Too many dogs are dying. Perhaps some are with provocation but others didn’t deserve to die.
Not again!!! Stop it, police. Stop shooting innocent dogs! This is insane!
When is this madness going to end? Shooting a pet dog in front of its owner again and a teenager at that? There are good cops and bad cops. I heard this cop was proud he didn’t shoot anyone for 17 yrs but he blows away a pet dog. Speechless. I’m so sorry Gunner and to his family.
I’m so sick of hearing this.
I support our men and women in blue but this is ridiculous! There are far too many cases of dogs getting shot and killed for no real provocation. Police are investigating these cases. What are they going to do? It is one of their own. How many officers have been found guilty after doing this? I’m sure the number is low. Seeing the poor dog’s picture only makes it that much more real. Too gun-happy!
Come on now, enough is enough. You don’t have to shoot a dog for it stop doing something you don’t like. Too many dog are dying at the hands of cops.
Despicable. This must end!
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If a cop shot my innocent dog, I’m supposed to say, that’s ok? I don’t think so! I couldn’t contain myself if they did that. Killing should be used as a last resort. Some cops say they’re sorry but I don’t buy it. If a civiian shot and killed a neighbor’s dog, it would be reported to the police and that person could be charged with animal cruelty. Why aren’t these officers being charged with the same offense? This goes way beyond animal cruelty!
This is a nationwide problem. It’s happening in alot of states. Cops going to the wrong house and gunning down the dog. Don’t they have pepper spray to ward off criminals? Why don’t they use that as their first line of defense against a dog? Doesn’t add up for me. I’m all for the police except when they use force like this and ultimately kill too many dogs. Unacceptable.
WHAT? AGAIN???? WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!
It seems everytime I check the news there’s another case of a pet dog shot by police. This seems quite abnormal. Does it happen? Yes but not at this alarming rate. The police investigating their own people isn’t going to do anything or do anything from this occurring again. They protect their own. I know there are people who say they’re only dogs but if it was your dog, would you feel that way? It doesn’t seem right for all of these dogs to lose their lives and too many who were completely innocent.
I’m sick of reading these stories, too! Nothing is going to be done because “it’s only a dog”! Same old story and cop gets to keep his job. I can’t begin to imagine what these families feel knowing there is no recourse for what happened. There’s no justice.
My heart breaks when I see story after story of a pet dog that was unnecessarily killed by a police officer. Social media will make a difference if done correctly.
Police can’t keep on killing innocent dogs without employing other methods to calm them. This is cruel to the dog and family.
If anyone shots my dog he’s shot next…No questions
Train your dogs and keep them under control at all times to protect them from idiot humans
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Cops should be trained. Too many pets are dying when they shouldn’t have. There are some cases when it may be necessary but dogs are shot and killed when they don’t pose a threat.