Jerkass Cop shoots and kills neighbor's puppy

[qara_isuke]

Chicago police on Friday night launched an investigation into what led an off-duty officer to shoot and kill his neighbor's dog.

The officer, an eight-year veteran of the force, said he was out with his young son on the 5800 block of North Oketo Avenue, on the city's far northwest side, when Maximus, a four-month-old pit bull, charged at them

Comments

[fenris_lorsrai]

honestly this "charged by the dog" is normally puppy behavior when it sees something it wants to PLAY with. Older dogs tend to approach a little more slowly, puppies just come barreling in because they're SO EXCITED to see you. OMG SOMEONE WILL PET ME! OMG! OMG! OMG!

There's a big difference between a dog that want to play and one that wants to eat you and if you're even vaguely familiar with dogs, its generally really obvious if the dog's coming at you like a freight train of WUV or murder.

[qara_isuke]

EXACTLY. Puppies do that, in the same way social toddlers will smile at and greet strangers randomly.

The people justifying his actions in the comments make me SO ANGRY, primarily because they either think "pit bull = killer mutant death machine" or because HEY if a dog is off leash it's fair game! Which are both very disturbing mentalities, in my personal opinion. It should never be okay to blow away someone's dog simply because they managed to get loose.

[fenris_lorsrai]

The neighbor at work has a pitbull. when I pull in, she pops up in the big bay window of the apartment. Then vanishes behind the curtains. Then reappears with a toy. PLAY WITH MEEEEEEEEEEE!

Clearly a killer, look how she's mauling that squeak toy!

[natyanayaki]

My reaction after reading this.

1. OMG SO CUTE DOGGIEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. I hope cops are rarely in the vicinity, who knows how they'd react to a pitbull with a toy...

[fenris_lorsrai]

Our cops are generally pretty good and mellow. After they had someone that was mentally ill commit suicide by cop about ten years ago, they've really emphasized training on de-escalation and NOT relying on guns

[moonshaz]

It's reassuring to hear that somebody somewhere is doing things right! And surely your local p.d. is not the only one working on this, so... *is cautiously hopeful*

[natyanayaki]

That's great to hear (except that you live so close to Newtown, I'm so sorry...it must be so difficult for you). I need to look into what my town/county does in terms of training officers to respond to dogs...

[qara_isuke]

D'aww, that's adorable.

My boy loves to look out the window whenever there's people outside, and he gets so excited.

I am so very grateful to live in such a breed-friendly community, and to have a police department that has a strong focus on training to prevent shootings.

[kittenmommy]

There's a big difference between a dog that want to play and one that wants to eat you and if you're even vaguely familiar with dogs, its generally really obvious if the dog's coming at you like a freight train of WUV or murder.

Yes. I can understand why people are wary of strange dogs (because, hello, common sense!), but it's usually easy to work out a dog's intentions, especially if the dog isn't barking.

Our beagle Meaghan is no watchdog; she'd lick any burglar to death, and then help him pack the house and take it all away. :p

[skellington1]

And, really, who in the US manages to live to adulthood and not be at least that familiar with dogs? I mean, they're all over, and the puppy-play/adult-menace distinction is really self evident.

[wowsolovely]

I have a pitbull and it's one of my biggest fears. His previous owner never took this dog outside or to the vet. So he looks crazy and is very easily excited I'm working on it but its a long process. The few times I've talked to cops I warn them he jumps please don't hurt him. They were nice and just happy I was trying to help him. I still wait and walk away from most people I don't want him to jump and them say he tried to attack. Someone made a joke about biting and in like do not joke it's not funny someone may take you serious and kill him. This is the whole reason I saved a pitbull though he's sweet and loyal and he needed a chance. I feel sad for this family.

[nikoel]

A 4 month old puppy hasn't even learned HOW to snarl or be menacing at all. Asshole cop.