Andrea Rosebrock 
Just this past Monday, August 2, Ryan and Rachel Reitaliata saw their Husky dog Bear-Bear, venture out with a family member on a routine, fun trip to the dog park for some friendly frolic and exercise. But Ryan and Rachel didn’t expect the evening would end being in an animal hospital and hearing there is nothing they could do to save their dying dog.
An off-duty police officer and his wife went to the Quail Run Community Dog Park in Severn, Maryland at about 6:30 p.m. with their leashed German shepherd. At some point, Bear-Bear came over to the German shepherd to play. When play got a little rough, the police officer told Bear-Bear’s guardian, Stephen Kurinij, to remove his dog. Before Stephen could react, the officer pulled out a gun, stepped back, and fired into Bear-Bear.
The pistol-packing jerk used a Glock 9mm with hollow-point bullets.
Oh, the police were called – by the dog killer. And according to the Anne Arundel County Police, “The off-duty officer stated that he feared for the safety of himself, his wife and their dog and subsequently shot the husky with a handgun he had in his possession.” When the Reitaliatas inquired about it the next day, the Anne Arundel Police told them that no charges would be filed and there was nothing the they could do except to file a civil complaint. The case was closed.
Ryan and Rachel Reitaliata went to the press. And when this hit the airwaves all hell broke loose. The public was livid. People from across the country have flooded online forums and showered officials with complaints – at both the dog killer and the Anne Arundel Police.
For the best account of the incident, please read Justice for Bear-Bear: An Interview with his Family by Penny Blankenship of Meeshkaworld. Read it entirely, it will leave your blood boiling.
The Media made inquires into the incident, and their reports on this incident came to the attention of County Executive John R. Leopold. He immediately directed the police department to reopen the investigation and do a thorough proper job.
Why did this police officer feel it necessary to use lethal force to separate two dogs that weren’t even fighting? A 9mm with hollow point bullets is not your run of the mill protection. Those bullets are designed to kill upon impact, shattering internal organs. That is, uh, pretty over-the-top personal protection for a nice walk to the dog park with your pup.
Why did the Anne Arundel Police decide not to file charges and close the case so quickly? Somebody discharged a very powerful weapon in a public place, killing a family pet. It was a piss-poor investigation that smells. And if you read Penny Blankenship’s post, you’ll find a lot of offensive behavior by the Anne Arundel Police Department.
People are getting sick and tired of the gun-slinging jerks that wear a badge. And what’s even more tiresome is the Blue Wall of Silence. We are tired of police officer crimes and misconduct that gets dismissed by their own. It’s usually us, John and Jane Q. Public, that gets the raw end of the deal when the police abuse their authority.
In this article, Trigger-happy cops and dead dogs – when is it going to end? , the writer states…
It is very important that a precedent be set here, an example made of this trigger-happy cop, to show armed officers everywhere that they WILL be held accountable for every death and injury of a pet caused by firing their weapons when less deadly force could have been used.
Good words. There is talk of Bear-Bear’s Law. Make Bear-Bear’s Law a law that will reign in the police. They cannot get away with shooting a family pet just because “they can”. Police Departments across the nation had better pay attention. In a world of rapidly eroding respect for the police, departments can’t afford to have this
shit happening any more.
There are two Facebook Support Groups out there. Justice for Bear Bear and Justice for Bear-Bear.
Two petitions are available. Justice for Bear-Bear and Death of Bear-Bear.
The dog killer is a civilian police officer at Fort Myer who lives in the vicinity of the Quail Run Community Dog Park. The police are not releasing his name because of the ongoing investigation. He’s been put on administrative leave by Ft. Myer and he wasted no time in getting a lawyer. Somebody leaked his name to the press but I’ll leave that alone – for now.
Word of Bear-Bear’s killing has spread all over the world. It has been mentioned and discussed in almost every dog breed forum and animal blog. Keeping up with the reports is the Baltimore Sun and Jill Rosen’s Unleashed Blog, also with the Baltimore Sun.
The investigation report should be out in the next day or so. Keep watching the Baltimore Sun and the Facebook support pages.
Then we will see which way the unleashed rage will go.
To call any police officer who needlessly or otherwise shoots or otherwise harms any pet a "pig" is unfair to pigs. Yet the epithet indeed fits.
Left up to me, they'd face ritual degradation in which we, as a society, could legally order them to be tightly bound to stakes with their own handcuffs, have their badges and other police insignia ripped from their uniforms, have rubber pig snouts strapped to their loathsome faces, be spat upon, slapped, kicked, beaten with their own guns, and cursed, and then face firing squads–which would include the pet's guardian(s)–using the very same weapons and ammunition they used on their victims, all on national television in packed stadiums, but let's keep it relatively civilized here.
Seriously, because of the extraordinary position of trust and responsibility law-enforcement officers hold in our or any society, because of the vulnerability of pets, and because of the outrageous nature of such needless killings or other harm done to pets by these pigs, the legal and social penalties that any law-enforcement officer who wrongly kills or harms a pet must be *much* harsher than even the harsh penalties that should be meted out to anyone who does such things to pets. Law-enforcement officers who needlessly or otherwise wrongly harm pets must face harsh mandatory legal penalties, and cases involving such harm must be tried only in our "regular" courts by juries, not by rubber-stamp, look-the-other-way police commissions or internal review boards. "We the People" must remind law-enforcement officers at every turn that *we* are *their* superiors, that they work for and are subject to us, as well as to the laws that apply to them as much as they do to any of us.
These pigs should not only be summarily fired and forever forbidden to engage in law enforcement work again, but also imprisoned and held fully liable, financially *and* criminally, for their actions. If that means that these out-of-control and/or trigger-happy pigs end up impoverished and having their lives and futures permanently ruined, if that means they lose their homes, their wealth, everything they own or ever will gain (including those juicy police pensions), if that means that a few municipalities or even states are bankrupted, *good*. Making *very* public examples of these pigs will make other law-enforcement officers think twice before they start shooting as the first "solution" when they see a pet they perceive as being in their way.
Only when we as a society smash the "blue wall of silence" and make it clear to every law-enforcement officer that he or she is as subject to the law as the rest of us are, only when we make it clear to law enforcement and to government in general that the political, social, personal, and, yes, economic costs of wrongfully and/or otherwise needlessly harming pets will be far steeper and more painful than any actual or perceived benefit that any pig might get from pulling out his or her firearm or Taser as the first resort in dealing with pets will we see things change.
So what are we waiting for? Let's start showing "the gun-slinging jerks that wear a badge" that they are not above the law–or us. The first step is for us to take away their guns and badges.
I don't have a problem with what Scott Enk said in his comment. I too agree that police should be held liable for their actions much more so than they are in today's standard!!! I know there are 2 sides to every story but come on now, hollow point bulletts??? In a public park??? Totally inappropriate, uncalled for and unaccepable!!! I feel emotional pain for Bear Bear's owners. It truly is a sad day when folks can't even go to their local dog park without being afraid their beloved pet will be blown away!!!
he is a coward trigger happy BASE police officer…and hope he has a good lawyer….the people (all over) are not letting this one go lightly…and i hope he gets his ass chewed up and spit out!!!!!!!
What a scum bag that needs nt to have a gun nor a job as a policemen… next he could go off on a person… I'm telling people have gone nuts and no one is safe any longer…. This is a scum bag that needs to go … my heart goes out to the family and to Bear-Bear but that is why I won't tak my dogs to the park becuase of people being out of control themsleves
The cop would have to fear for "ME" worse then my dog … but yet the good o' boys club closed the case… these people that live in this cops area better watch out his next target maybe a human or a kid…. this guy needs to go…
Seems in Maryland to be almost epidemic. Just days later in Prince George's County, (the neighboring county to Ann Arundel), sherrif's deputies went to a home to serve an eviction notice (a single working mother with 5 children not Drug Lords) and finding no one home, entered the home, and shot and killed the family Rottweiler, without waiting for Animal Control to arrive. They used the same excuse, "feared for our safety". This is the same county, that approximately two years ago WRONGLY entered the home of the Mayor of a neighboring town and shot and killed his dogs. Once again used the same "feared for our safety" excuse. Other than a weak water apology, nothing was done. Just for clarity, let me repeat, "The home of the Mayor of the town,(Berwyn Heights) that was entered by ERROR on the part of the police". In both of these cases, it was the same Sheriff's Department.
Of additional concern, is the weapon that the officer in the Bear-Bear case was carrying. A Glock with hollow point bullets. Was he expecting to encounter terrorists, the mafia or drug cartel members at the park? There is no excuse for a weapon or ammunnition with these lethal capabilites for any off duty policeman, even if the local police require an officer to carry "a weapon" at all times. It is time that all people, including law enforcement, be held accountable for their actions against animals. It is time that the "feared for our safety" be rethought and that those who commit unprovoked violent acts and use this weak water excuse have to strongly justify and prove, that indeed, their safety was indeed in danger. The "I feared for my safety" needs to have substative evidence. If police or any other public servant are so fearful that they have to shoot and kill animals that are not a real and true active threat, then they should not be in law enforcement in the first place.
I believe that the large majority of law enforcement officers are honest, decent people who do protect and serve but are too schooled to the idea of the "brotherhood of the blue wall". It is time, as Scott writes, for that "blue wall of silence" to come down. Good, decent, ethical and moral law enforcement people should be as interested in honesty, integrity and "rightness" as the rest of us. Loyalty is a great virtue, but there are times when there is a higher calling than loyalty. To quote from a Bruce Willis movie about values versus standing with the blue brotherhood,
"loyalty above all, except honor". It is time that law enforcement step up to honor, even at the cost of loyalty.
So this beautiful dog, out for a day in the park with his owners (or family members of the owners) is shot to death by some fucktard with a gun and a badge?!?! A gun loaded with hollowpoint amo? In a public park?!?! I think this moron needs a course in animal identification because, obviously, he mistook someone's pet for an animal of the Ursine variety (a bear).
Oh, he's very lucky *I* don't get to have my way with him which would be to turn him into a human (I use the term *very* loosely) pinata and dope-slap him all over his pathetic carcass with a Louieville slugger–and then I'd turn the bat over to the next like-minded individual.
As for the citizenry he "serves", I'd be very worried about this moron's critical thinking/anger mgmt skills. Didn't even give Bear-Bear's human a chance to restrain the dog before opening fire–what an absolute waste of carbon I promise, I'll tell you what I *really* think of Officer Shit-for-Brains in just a second, as soon as I stop venting).
I hope to whatever benevolent being might be watching (and, trust me, when reading b/s like this, I sincerely doubt the existence of said being) that Bear-Bear's distraught owners sue the shit out of Officer Fart Brain *and* the police dept he works for. We'll show you what we think of your Blue Wall of Silence (I have a finger extended; can y'all guess which one?).
Ok, before my fingers start cramping, I'll sit back and think of what I *really* believe this A-hole deserves.
By the way, if Bear-Bear's owners are suing, do they need help $$ with their suit?
Bear-Bear's owners are preparing for a civil suit. Donations received will be used to assist in paying for Bear-Bears last vet bills and the legal fees. Paypal Donations: using the email k.rettaliata@gmail.com or snail mailed to: Justice for Bear c/o TOTTSHR P.O. Box 612 Colmar PA 18915
CARDS AND LETTERS OF SUPPORT Can be mailed to: Justice for Bear c/o TOTTSHR P.O. Box 612 Colmar PA 18915
That is just one more reason you will never
find me taking any of my dogs to a dog park.
They are disasters waiting to happen – not
because of the animals but because of the stupid
people who take animals there.
I just feel sick in hearing another tragic dog story,I feel so bad for Bear Bear and his family, why would anyone bring a gun to a dog park, little alone shoot and kill an innocent dog who was just having fun? I hope he gets fired from the force and gets the book thrown at him he doesn't have the right to carry a gun,another sick saddistic cop as far as I'm concerned– God Bless you Bear Bear R.I.P.
too many sick people in this world and let me guess hes getting away with it as he has a badge nothing changes
Our society has for too long looked the other way at police brutality thinking that somehow the victim deserved the abuse. "testalying" in court that is tolerated by judges and lawyers leads policemen to believe that anything they say is the truth and nothing but the truth. So they beat up inocent civilians and shoot a few dogs if you didn't care about Malice Green and Rodney King its too late to get up in arms over Bear-Bear. How can you tell if a policeman is lying, his lips are moving.
I spent over 22 years in the military. Three and a half years of that was in Law Enforcement. Alot of cops that I meet, I would'nt trust to take out my trash. Alot of them are bullies with guns. This incident does not surprise me at all. The poor dog. I am also a pet owner. My heart goes out to them.
feared for his safty my ass, if he feared for his saftey he should not have even come out of his house let alone go to a dog park where there are plenty of dogs and kids around, i hate to think if he had a kid and another kid was playing with his kid and he thought that the other kid was playing to rough with his kid what would he do shoot the other kid because he "feared for his life" if anyone should fear for their life it should be the public, i mean what asshole would bring a wepon to a public place? I hope that he gets the book thrown at him but as we all know that will never happen. There are to many pigs (police offcers) that think just because they have a badge that they can do whatever they want to anyone or any animal that they want and know that they will only get a slap on the wrist what has this world come to? My heart goes out to the family of bear-bear he was such a beautifual dog and i am so sorry to hear what happend to him. i just want the family to know that he has crossed over to "Rainbow Bridge" and will never be in any pain again and that they will see him again, for he is waiting for them when their time on earth is done, he will never ever forget his family and those that loved him so much.
Police hold nothing special in my mind at all. My Gremen shepard was out in her kennl run in my own back yard not 20 feet away from the back door. I thought she would be safe nothing ever happens in the small town but how I was wrong. Maxie became ill with in a couple of weeks and come to find out some kids had shot her with pillets. I found out who had done it and called the local police the women showed up, mind back in the mid 70's I was the first police women for our coutnry, she only told me that "Well kids have nothing better to do". turned and walked away. Shocked at her reply becuase I know the field all to well I let her have it. Never again shell I call the local police. Maxie was operated on and seem to come back but then surcome to her injuries, this was back in the 90's now when my dogs go out I'm out with them and never let them out of sight nor do I let anyone around them that I don't know… my turst is gone in any police. I had one hit my car and keep driving I had to chase him down and get him to stop in order to egt it taken of, then one tried to arrest my neighbor at the time because they tried to say he hit a kid on bike and drove off. The guy didn't drive nor own a car he at the time had Lou Garricks and was dieing. I tried to explain to to the police the problem with my neightbor and they wnated to arrest me. My reply to them was" If you wnat me that bad then open the dam door and I'll go in with you but I'll own eveyrhting you have when I get done with you. Sorry no respect for police anymore even though I was I one and reitred..
I have broken up more dog fights than many , all it takes is usually a good STOP , minor dust ups happen and no dog should ever be killed over this .This guy is an asshole plain and simple .
I agree that many police officer's are bully's in blue. I have experienced that myself in Selbyville, De. trying to protect feral cats I had fixed and was feeding. I was arrested and finger printed and went to court. This cop was a bully who did this.
this has just about put me and my laptop into seizure. i have been trying to network this and keep trying to reply to one "journalist's" article but it's so hot out here my computer has crashed for the last 2 days before I get the comment sent. We need to organize and get petitions. I want to try to make petitions to get both federal agents to sign [I go to the BIA every week] as well as military and police forces against this freak. The weapon he had on him couldn't be legal there with those bullets and is something you'd carry around in Peshawar. I keep ranting and it has taken a tone "zero tolerance to on/off duty 'law enforcement" agents killing pets without consequences. We need to strengthen the laws and demand their charges and prosecution especially against individuals who are suppose to uphold the law, mandatory week suspension without pay for any pet killed then further action depending upon the circumstances
I worked at a police department for many years, and went toe to toe with them over the severe abuse of their own K9 dogs. Oh, in public they will declare the dogs their best buddies, and behave as if they are protective of them, but behind the scenes the dogs are hanged to unconsciousness, kicked in the stomach and genitals, and electro-shocked. And, although (if you get past their denials and lies) they will say it is for "training," I saw many instances where is was done for personal amusement, laughed and joked about , and used to shock individual new employees. They even named their K9 unit the "Hang 'Em High" Club, and thought that was a hoot. For objecting to it, I found myself the object of harassment, threats, vandalism, and sabotage. They really tried to arrange more than one "unfortunate accident" for me, I found out that this dog abuse goes on all over the U.S. and the world in police, sheriff's departments and the military, and the dogs that don't die immediately from a botched hanging or kicking, will usually die over a few short years later from accumulated abuse. It is a lower form of consciousness that permeates the miltary and paramilitary.
Just in from the Cincinatti News….another indication of just how "much" (not) that the police value and care for their K9 partners. Police officer had some supposed family emergency and sort of FORGOT that his K9 partner (a rather large size, hard to overlook, dog) was in the car yesterday (8/12). Temperatures reached into the 90s, but obviously, though the paper makes no mention of it, the windows must have been up and it must have been an extended period of time as the dog died. Of course, there is already massive cover up as the focus is on what a wonderful police officer this man is, how he was once wounded, so on and so forth. Let us hope he never has a small child in his car and another family emergency arises.
What is comes down to is this, as Sue M points out, they may make a big public deal about how much police care for their K9 partners, but when it comes down to it, they really do not care nor see these dogs than anything other than a "breathing fur" bullet vest. Link to CinCin news story below:
http://www.wlwt.com/r/24620566/detail.html
@ Sue M. – I am shocked to hear this account of how police dogs are treated within the police force itself. This sounds like it would make a great expose. Has this issue been covered in the media at all? It would be a great story for something like New York Times Magazine, etc. How can the police departments afford to misuse their dogs this way? (I was under the impression that they were very expensive, in the range of $10K each, often trained in Germany). Are the dogs hanged as a joke? Animal cruelty issues aside, it seems like a very expensive prank. How can I learn more?
This just makes me sick. Absolutely sick. Justice must be served. I hope Bear Bear's owners are doing everything they can to make this jerk pay. Positive vibes go out to all those effected by this story.
Poor baby and family, I am really sorry that your lives had to encounter such a waste of life.
This is just another reason that I
will not subject my dogs to dog
parks. Some may be safe, but this
proves not all are safe because of
some of the idiots who use them as
well as those who do not watch nor
care for their dogs properly.
What a betrayal — of the beautiful dog and of the public, who depends upon policemen to "protect and serve". This poor excuse of a policeman needs to, not only be banned from that career forever, but to be prosecuted for cold-blooded murder. How did he ever pass the psychological test? Too many loose cannons get through and are then protected by their "us against them" mentality. I am so sad to hear of the senseless, violent death of this animal, who evidently didn't die right away. My heart goes out to the family. I just can't imagine what a horrendous loss and tragedy this has been for them. Dog bless!
UPDATE AS OF 8/10/10:
Two Prosecutors, one the County Animal Abuse prosecutor, have been assigned to work with the police on the killing of Bear-Bear. Of special interest to them is IF this sub species actually had the legal right to be carrying this weapon (not to mention the ammumition…a special type of hollow point that is designed to do the absolute maximum damage) as well as the legal right to shoot this dog. I THINK we all know the answer to this. Let us hope that the prosecutors are tough and wise enough to see the truth and pray that this is not just a PC attempt to look good while doing an "under the carpet sweep". Here are the links from Baltimore news:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-d…
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-d…
Evening all. What happened in Baltimore is a terrible tragedy. I believe there is no doubt that the police who initially investigated and closed the case abused their authority and did so out of a misplaced sense of loyalty to a fellow officer. Drawing your weapon and discharging it in a public place is one of the most serious acts a police officer will do in his community (and for that matter, in his entire career) and I think that if it's done on duty the officer is placed on leave/other duty until a thorough investigation is completed. Having said all of this let me make a few observations.
The reason that most police departments use hollow point or pre-fragmented ammunition is so that when an object is hit the bullet will fragment, lose energy and not travel through and hit something/someone else. Yes, this type of bullet will create a huge amount of damage but then, that is the point. As awful as it sounds this is better than collateral damage that could be caused by a different type of ammunition.
I've gotten in the middle of dogfights and it's not a fun place. Having said that, I gather that the officer said that he asked for help from Bear-Bear's owners for around a minute before he drew his weapon. He said that they just stood there and stared. A minute in a dogfight is a lifetime and while I don't know the owners I can't believe they wouldn't have gotten right in there immediately to pull their dog back.
This incident needs to have a real investigation done which includes witness statements of the people that were there. I did a little looking and I haven't seen any statements of witnesses that that confirm either side at this point. We need to remember that if the officer is shown to have pulled and fired his weapon without reason (or hastily) then he shouldn't be a cop and if that is the case here then he should be fired. On the other hand we need to remember that a mans career and livelihood is at stake and if it's shown that Bear-Bear went after the Shephard then this man needs to be cleared asap (although some further training in when to draw your weapon may be in order).
Finally while this is a tragedy however the investigation turns out some of the comments being made are pretty disturbing. I know this site is for people who have formed very close, loving relationships with their dogs (I've been lucky enough to have three dogs, all from the pound who were my good and close buddies throughout their long and happy lives) and that emotions are running high but some comments really go beyond the pale.
This sickens me on many levels. I've used a handgun as part of my daily attire for 35 years, and have used the same to break up fights between my own dogs…both those that are iminent and those already in progress. All it usually takes is to fire into the ground between them or close to them to break their focus on one another. Rarely does it require a second shot. This guy just wanted to kill something, or show off his pistol to the subjects…or demonstrate what a high-speed/low-drag badass he was.
Now, for the other issue. As a lifelong shooter, Marine armorer, gunsmith, ammunition reloader, bullet maker, and Marine Combat Rifleman in Vietnam who has seen the effects of gunshot wounds up close…I'd like to address a few things in the interest of understanding and education.
Many misconceptions running rampant here and in other circles concerning hollowpoint ammunition.
It doesn't "explode" on contact and wreak horrific destruction as many think. Hollowpoint is standard issue to police agencies and has been for close to 40 years. The reason is that by expanding, it decelerates rapidly in tissue and dumps its energy into the target rather than passing through…going on to endanger people and animals beyond the intended target.
It's actually LESS likely to cause the death of the victim because in most instances, it only creates one hole in the body…whereas a solid bullet that passes through creates two holes to bleed from.
Because it provides a much greater liklihood of neutralizing a felon with one shot instead of requiring multiple shots into him…the odds of a fatality are even further reduced by using hollowpoints.
Finally…Power-wise, The 9mm parabellum cartridge is pretty innefectual, and it's about the minimum caliber that I would trust my life to in a lethal force/self-defense situation.
I am sorry for the loss of your dog Bear-Bear. XXX
This is so sad and it appears that his story just does not hold water. I feel like many others that LE should be held to a higher standard. Hollowpoints in a personal weapon this is a dog park not Iraq; if found guilty of said incident he should be held responsible and made to not only sever time (if applicable) but pay for all fees and while he can not replace that family member he can give them another puppy etc… My GSD passed away after only 8 short years a few months ago and its a very painful time for the entire family and it appears this off duty LE was not even the least concerned about anyone or any thing and over reacted big time in this situation.
I guess we will see with the courts decide, just sad what happened and I know the pain the family is experiencing with the loss of a pup.
Please…Let's all step back and take a breath. Jocko…Read my post above. Let's not turn this into a political anti-gun statement or a cop bashing.
While I agree that the officer probably overreacted, I can't say for sure because I wasn't there, and neither were any of you. A stern voice command may have de-escalated the impending dogfight/attack, and it may not have. OC spray would have done the trick, but he may not have been carrying any.
Most LE agencies require their officers to carry their sidearms when off-duty…and they have to carry with the department-issued hollowpoint ammunition…no matter where they go. It's a matter of policy.
A hollowpoint bullet is not a device of horrible destruction, and it's less likely to riccochet and go bouncing off down the street in the event of a missed shot as is a solid or full metal jacket bullet…presenting less danger to the public.
Last…The officer's first duty after a shooting is to control the scene until backup arrives and takes over. This will at least partly explain why he refused to allow Bear's owner to go to him.
Was he fully justified in shooting the dog? Don't know. He'll say that he felt that he was in jeopardy, and that will likely be the end of it. The truth will be between him and his own conscience.
There are two many overreacting cops and ACO's with departments that back them up. Police departments have a problem. The public does not respect or trust them in these matters and we are sick of it. And I really don't think their own conscience is going to get the better of them. Police officers and animal control officers had better get more training in animal behavior and be required to carry something else less *killing* in addition to their sidearms. AND be disciplined severely when they screw it up.
The public outcry to these indiscriminate shootings is going to get louder and louder. Police Departments all over the USA had better start paying attention.
Oh, and, in all honesty, thank you for clarifying hollow-point bullets. That's what I get for watching Lethal Weapon sequels.
Andrea, I agree 100% that too many dogs are shot simply for barking at strangers on the property.
That's what dogs do, and while we try to understand that police officers are instructed not to take chances with any dog large enough to hurt them…too many dog killings are completely unnececessary. Giving the owners a chance to get control of and contain the dogs seems to be too much to ask.
As a Siberian Husky owner and deep admirer of the breed, I'm also horrified that this beautiful dog was killed in a situation that could have probably been handled without shooting him…but again…I wasn't there. I didn't see what happened. Part of me wants to believe that this thug was just looking for an excuse to shoot, and the other part considers the possibility that he was truly frightened of Bear Bear. Only rarely do Huskies show unprovoked aggression toward people…but I also know of one that was extremely dangerous, and had to be shot after turning on his own master when he attempted to take a dead snake from him. Up to that point, the dog had been docile and playful.
When asked if my dog(s) bite, my standard answer is: "All dogs will bite if you push the right buttons. It's mostly up to you." But regardless of why an attack begins…the potential for serious injury remains. Too many people forget that fact about dogs. I had one guy tell me point blank that he wasn't concerned with dogs weighing 50 pounds or less because he felt that he could "handle" an attack. I told him not to kid himeslf. A 50 pound dog that is serious about an attack is perfectly capable of wrecking your day in less time than it took for me to type that.
Most dog "attacks" aren't attacks at all. Quick snaps…bite and release…even bad ones, are warnings. With a 50-70 pound dog…An actual attack is a frighteningly brutal thing that will likely leave you maimed for life if you're fortunate enough to survive it.
RE: John Travis: <y comment was not to push the political envelope and I have way too much respect for those who are Fire Responders; although sadly all it takes is one bad apple and it will un-do all the good that others have done. I do believe what you have posted and agree with it; I believe this guy will have to deal with this on more than one level. Hopefully if found guilty the court system will follow through with some sort of punishment because I do believe those who are in Law Enforcement should be held to higher standards.
Jocko…I agree. They should be held to higher standards. I carry a sidearm daily, and because I know that brings along with it a heavy responsibility. I consider the gun as a last resort…when I've exhausted all other options.
Do I think that the situation in question could have been handled without resorting to the gun? I do. Most can be made to stand down right up to the point that an actual attack begins…but not everybody has the experience with dogs that I have. Some people are simply terrified of dogs, and they react to that. If that type also happen to be carrying a gun, it usually spells tragedy for the dog.
The mistake made by the officer here started when he elected to go to a dog park without an effective but non-lethal means of defense against a large dog.
OC spray will do it. A long stick will do it. Unless a dog is specifically trained to avoid a weapon, he'll clamp down on the closest thing to him. When he grabs the end of the stick…shove it deep into his throat. It'll hurt him, but it's not lethal…and the dog understands that continuing to pres the attack will bring pain, and he'll back off. I've seen it work with Pits…Rotts…and even attack-trained German Shepherds who aren't trained to go under the weapon. Rarely do they go back for another bite, and if they do…they grab the end of the stick again. Recovery is a matter of a few days of soft food.
I stopped a dog with a stick once. It was a rescue that I had taken in. He was fine within a few days, and he became my new best friend within a week.
In light of my last post…lest anyone get the impression that I'm a cruel master…I'd like to make it clear that I'm a die-hard dog advocate.
Not only that, but I put my money where my mouth is.
I'm a rescuer. I have 19 dogs on-site…12 of which are rescues.
I've taken them off the streets and from kill shelters…and I've even stolen a couple from abusive owners and secreted them away to a safe place in the dead of night. I have bite scars on both arms from my hands up to my elbows. I've been doing this for 35 years, and I'll probably drop dead doing it.
I also have three Siberians here, one of which is a 25% Red Wolf hybrid…so Bear Bear's story twangs a heartstring for me in a way that I can't adequately describe. I look at his picture and see the face of a wonderful, fascinating animal that simply reacted to what was likely another dog's challenge that he was too close to his master.
So Bear's owner is also culpable in this by not having him on leash or by having him adequately trained to instantly obey voice commands.
RE John: John I never once though anything bad about you; and I must apologize I just read my last response and my spell check failed me….. lol I am a huge fan of rescues; especially GSD (German Shepherds). Currently in my 48 short years on this planet I have personally owned 2 pure breed husky's, at least 10 GSD's and all but one were rescues or given to me by friends as either pups or pups no more than a year old. Every pup passed away after living with my family due to old age except for King who's 8 short years in my family was ended by a drug called Rimadyl.
I agree there were many mistakes by both sides in the eventual death of this pup. With that said I do hope the courts are able to go through all the statements and evidence and come to a decision as to what happened. IMO I don't know how this will sit with most of you here; I believe the LEO should take responsibility in this matter and offer to replace Bear. IMO its the human thing to do; or at least thats what I would do if I caused any harm to someone's pet. I do not carry and firearms nor would I have reacted to this situation the same way; as a victim of a guard dog attack (90lb GSD) that my Uncle failed to tell the rest of the family. My dad put me over my uncles wooden fence and I walked up to the glass door to open it; turned around and there was the GSD. Like I mentioned all my life around GSD's so while I was concerned I wasn't scared. I almost made it back over the fence; I backed up the GSD and got to the fence and had to turn around to jump up so my father could catch me and pull me over. The second I turned around 4 K9 teeth tore into my shoulder and I still have those scars. The noise woke up my Uncle who was taking a nap and he called off "Kaiser"; they cleaned my wounds and the GSD became very good friends with me after my Uncle took control of the situation.
I feel so bad for the family of Bear; even a death thats due to natural reasons is a very difficult thing to deal with so I can't even imagine there pain.
Yep, Jocko. My heart hurts for Bear Bear's family and his loss will no doubt be a bad memory for life.
A simple, stern voice command could have averted it. It's one that I work on diligently until my dogs understand and obey without hesitation…even at a distance…and immediately walk away.
"Bear! Leave it!"
I've stopped more dog fights…and kept more dogs from running into the road…and avoided more property damage with those three words than I care to remember. It works better than a simple "NO!" and it's the first voice command that I teach. Even older dogs respond and obey it.
The trick is to command early in the process…before the action starts. Harder to break their focus once its begun.
I like GSDs, too. Smart enough to play dumb, and loyal to the death once they've bonded.
Okay everyone. This was extremely time consuming reading all these comments, which leaves me little time to reply, but here goes.
First off….I too have little to NO trust for anyone behind a badge, although, in our small town, their are a couple of police officers I trust immensely! I have had past experience with these evil humans hiding behind a badge, and worse, the Chief of Pokice here. Which, BTW is retiring this year to my great joy! I too was raised by an Air Force father, who taught me to always have the highest respect for the law. I tried to do just that throughout most my life, but found more and more of them not to be trusted and truly not deserving of any trust or respect. That said, Bear-Bear was down right murdered! I too would go after a civil suit and by damn, most likely win! I have been around dogs all my life (my father raised German Shepherds), and know, factually, there are better means for breaking up a dog fight (BTW, sounds more like they were playing and getting to know each other better), than freakin' shooting the dog! Damn! That was flat assed stupid and if this officer is that intimidated by a Husky dog, look out for the human's he's intrusted to serve and "protect". I hope Bear-Bear's owner seek out justice and get it. I also hope this officer has his badge taken away and never be allowed to carry a weapon of any kind, ever again. He's a danger to society. No reason, what's so ever, to be carring a loaded gun into a dog park and if he feels he needs to have it on him at all times, don't go to the park! Simple as that. AND…What the hell was that dumb winch doing with a leash on the her dog amongst other loose running dogs. How very stupid is that?!!??? I thought I read at one point, she had been seen taking her Shepherd to that dog park, always leashed. What an ignoramous. She shouldn't own a dog in the first place. She has no idea the correct way to handle one. She should be required to take classes in dog behaivor and handling before ever being allowed to touch another dog and their Shepherd should be given the opportunity for a knowledgable, loving family. Not these two idiots!
Okay…I'm done ranting and raving now.
I only have a few words to say and that is the police are (not all of them) troubled people who use a badge as a cover up and I would not want to be in their shoes when they meet their "maker"
my name is debbie i have been on here since 2006 ive read alot of stories about furbabies but bear bear will stay with me the rest of my life police men sumtimes use there job in order 2 release anger ok he was off duty he was wrong &justice should be served