Our informal chronicle of dog-shootings would be incomplete without inclusion of this article...thank goodness Bill Clinton survived!
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Chief: Officer 'acted appropriately' in dog shooting
Saturday, October 18, 2003
By Lisa Medendorpand John S. Hausman
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITERS
Muskegon's police chief has said his officer "acted appropriately" when he fired twice, critically wounding a family dog that the officer believed was about to attack him.
The dog's owners are not happy with that assessment, and they said Friday they've retained a lawyer to help them sue the city.
The incident occurred Oct. 7 in a vacant lot on Hartford Avenue, behind the home of the dog's owners, Richard and Tammy Legg, of 106 Diana.
The chocolate Labrador retriever, "Bill Clinton," has since undergone extensive medical treatment, including surgery to reconstruct his shattered jaw.
He came home from the veterinarian's office last weekend.
But the dog is recovering, Tammy Legg said -- a surprise to everyone. "He's recovering pretty good. Nobody thought Bill was gonna come through."
She said Bill is scheduled to have his stitches removed Monday.
The dog will continue to have to see a veterinarian frequently for a long time, possibly the rest of his life, the Leggs said. They said it's not known yet if Bill's jaw will heal properly.
The two continue to be angry at the city and plan to sue, they said.
"They're going to pay for my dog," Richard Legg said. "I don't care what (the chief) thinks. The chief can think whatever he wants. That was my yard, and (the officer) shot my dog.
Police Chief Tony Kleibecker said Friday that a review of the incident involving Community Officer Kevin Stier has determined that "the officer acted appropriately."
The officer had to submit a "use of force" form for review because he drew and used his weapon.
"In reviewing the circumstances of what was involved, there was no wrongdoing on the officer's part," Kleibecker said. He declined to elaborate further.
On Oct. 7, Stier was on bicycle patrol checking for junk vehicles when the incident occurred. He had gotten off the bicycle and was in the process of tagging vehicles on the lot when the dog came at him.
He called the incident "tragic" for the owners and the officer, who also is a dog-lover.
Earlier, police said the lot where the shooting occurred didn't belong to the Leggs, but Tammy Legg said her licensed dog was on its own property. She said she was buying the lot on a land contract.
Greg Young, of Young Funeral Home, 1102 Terrace, confirmed that Legg is buying the lot from him on a land contract.
Young has helped the family, which faces thousands of dollars in vet bills. Richard Legg estimated Friday the total already has come to about $2,000, with expenses continuing to mount.
"She was going to bring over a check to pay on it (the lot), just over $500, and I told her to just apply the money to the vet bill, and I'll work with her to catch up on payments," Young said last week.
Donations have been coming in. Legg said last week that a former neighbor even came to her door and handed her $60.
Tammy Legg said Friday that a lot of donations have come in, mostly through Firestone Tire & Service Center, 700 W. Sherman, and Benson Drug Co., 961 Spring, though she didn't know how much.
Donations can still be made at both locations.
link: http://www.mlive.com/news/muchronicle/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1066472101312480.xml
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chief: Officer 'acted appropriately' in dog shooting
Saturday, October 18, 2003
By Lisa Medendorpand John S. Hausman
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITERS
Muskegon's police chief has said his officer "acted appropriately" when he fired twice, critically wounding a family dog that the officer believed was about to attack him.
The dog's owners are not happy with that assessment, and they said Friday they've retained a lawyer to help them sue the city.
The incident occurred Oct. 7 in a vacant lot on Hartford Avenue, behind the home of the dog's owners, Richard and Tammy Legg, of 106 Diana.
The chocolate Labrador retriever, "Bill Clinton," has since undergone extensive medical treatment, including surgery to reconstruct his shattered jaw.
He came home from the veterinarian's office last weekend.
But the dog is recovering, Tammy Legg said -- a surprise to everyone. "He's recovering pretty good. Nobody thought Bill was gonna come through."
She said Bill is scheduled to have his stitches removed Monday.
The dog will continue to have to see a veterinarian frequently for a long time, possibly the rest of his life, the Leggs said. They said it's not known yet if Bill's jaw will heal properly.
The two continue to be angry at the city and plan to sue, they said.
"They're going to pay for my dog," Richard Legg said. "I don't care what (the chief) thinks. The chief can think whatever he wants. That was my yard, and (the officer) shot my dog.
Police Chief Tony Kleibecker said Friday that a review of the incident involving Community Officer Kevin Stier has determined that "the officer acted appropriately."
The officer had to submit a "use of force" form for review because he drew and used his weapon.
"In reviewing the circumstances of what was involved, there was no wrongdoing on the officer's part," Kleibecker said. He declined to elaborate further.
On Oct. 7, Stier was on bicycle patrol checking for junk vehicles when the incident occurred. He had gotten off the bicycle and was in the process of tagging vehicles on the lot when the dog came at him.
He called the incident "tragic" for the owners and the officer, who also is a dog-lover.
Earlier, police said the lot where the shooting occurred didn't belong to the Leggs, but Tammy Legg said her licensed dog was on its own property. She said she was buying the lot on a land contract.
Greg Young, of Young Funeral Home, 1102 Terrace, confirmed that Legg is buying the lot from him on a land contract.
Young has helped the family, which faces thousands of dollars in vet bills. Richard Legg estimated Friday the total already has come to about $2,000, with expenses continuing to mount.
"She was going to bring over a check to pay on it (the lot), just over $500, and I told her to just apply the money to the vet bill, and I'll work with her to catch up on payments," Young said last week.
Donations have been coming in. Legg said last week that a former neighbor even came to her door and handed her $60.
Tammy Legg said Friday that a lot of donations have come in, mostly through Firestone Tire & Service Center, 700 W. Sherman, and Benson Drug Co., 961 Spring, though she didn't know how much.
Donations can still be made at both locations.
link: http://www.mlive.com/news/muchronicle/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1066472101312480.xml
