CA: Mayor's Dog Shot

[Mark Tyson]

The State;

Mayor's Dog Shot, Wounded by Police;
'Something fishy' is going on, says Bay Area leader. Officer claims self-defense.

Copyright 2003 The Times Mirror Company; Los Angeles Times

All Rights Reserved

Los Angeles Times
October 13, 2003 Monday Home Edition

An East Palo Alto police officer may be in the doghouse after shooting and wounding the mayor's dog outside her home last week.

Police have issued their regrets after the officer opened fire on 1-year-old "Horus" during a police investigation.
The wounded dog is expected to recover, said police.

But Mayor Patricia Foster has her doubts about police reports, saying neighbors have offered conflicting accounts of the incident. "I don't have all the answers but one thing is for certain: I know there is something fishy going on," Foster said.

Meanwhile, since the story appeared in area newspapers, City Hall has issued a gag order. Police Chief Wesley Bowling said Acting City Manager Russell Averhart told him not to comment on the incident.

"This is such a ridiculous story and we're trying to calm it down," said Bowling.

The incident occurred last Wednesday, while an officer was investigating a report of gunfire in the area near the mayor's home on Garden Street. Two dogs came running from Foster's yard, prompting the officer to shoot, according to police.

Though the mayor suspects police misconduct, officials say all the evidence indicates the shooting was justified. They said there will be an investigation.

"We're very sorry we had to shoot the animal," said Bowling in an interview before the city issued its gag order. "But the officer's statements are that he had retreated to a point where there was no place left to go. It was either act or be bitten."

*

Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

[gunsmith]

I understand it's scary

but barking dogs generally don't bite.
Didn't the cop have pepper spray?

 

[Sven]

Why don't they ask the dog?

Seriously, is this the biggest issue East Palo Alto faces at this time? I mean, really!

 

[Shane]

Wonder what breed the dog was. The police might be more inclined to shoot a larger breed more so than a rat dog. Rat dogs (which I define as any dog that yaps and is small) can yap and make a lot of noise, but they can't kill a healthy adult human. A medium or full sized dog has the potential to kill.

I won't comment on the incident till more facts come out. I am a dog owner and really like dogs, but at the same time I respect the police and give them the benefit of doubt until proven wrong.

 

[Sven]

The officer fell to the ground, pulled his revolver and fired two shots at the dog, Sibley said. The officer was not injured and the dog is expected to recover.

Foster said her neighbors gave her a different account of what happened than what appeared in the police report. A couple of items that don't match up are if the mixed-breed dog was shot on Foster's patio or in the street, and how the dog got loose from her yard.

Foster said her two dogs are very friendly and regularly play with kids in the neighborhood.

http://www.kron4.com/Global/story.asp?S=1478478

Revolver???

 

[Brian Dale]

City Hall has issued a gag order. Police Chief Wesley Bowling said Acting City Manager Russell Averhart told him not to comment on the incident.

Sven, I lived in SF ten years ago, so I'm glad to hear the good news that's implied here: I mean, all the gangs must be gone from East Palo Alto if the Mayor, City Manager and Police Chief all have time during the work day to spend on this issue, right?

"I don't have all the answers but one thing is for certain: I know there is something fishy going on," [Mayor] Foster said.

To say the least.

Shane, I thought that the definition of "rat dog" was "one that you can drop-kick for more than 10 yards." YES, I love dogs, too, and I've never kicked one. Relax.

 

[Frohickey]

Wasn't Cujo a chihuahua?

 

[DougCxx]

Shouldn't this thread be titled "the dog that knew too much"?
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