Drizzt
Member
We've seen enough stories on here about officers seemingly in a rush to put down an animal, so I thought an article about some officers who sound like they really try to not have to seriously injure the animal was in order...
When guns are fired, it’s animals - not humans - in crosshairs
By Alex Hummel
of The Northwestern
Oshkosh Police officers haven’t discharged a gun at a human being since the 1980s.
It’s a streak officers have no intention of breaking.
A variety of animals haven’t been so lucky.
Police Department use of force records show police from 2001 through mid-2005 killed 33 animals. In all cases, the animals were injured or possibly dangerous, commonly found in neighborhoods by residents and reported to police.
Officers were tapped to put the animals out of their misery.
“It’s actually a state law and they do have the authority to do so,” said Oshkosh Area Humane Society director Joni Geiger. “They can destroy an animal if it’s a risk … I think it’s probably an individual officer’s call, but we do get called in quite frequently for animals they can’t manage or maybe don’t have the handling skills to deal with.”
No species was as unfortunate as deer, use of force records show.
Fourteen were killed over the five-year time period The Northwestern reviewed.
Raccoons fell in an unfortunate second place. Police guns dispatched 10 over the time period.
Use of force records show only four incidents in which police did not specifically disclose what kind of animal they killed.
And lethal force isn’t the only kind applied to animals, records show.
In December 2002, police responded to a “dog at large that bit two people” and “lunged” at a community service officer. The dog was “pepper-sprayed two times” and “had to be tasered” before being captured with an animal control pole, a report states.
In August 2004, a white bulldog “running at large” in the 1300 block of Western Street received a shot of pepper spray after it “came at the officer.” It was captured and transported back to its owner.
“Officers along with the resident did wipe the dog’s face and nose with a damp cloth,” the use of force report states. “The dog did not show any other injuries. No injuries to the officer or animal.”
http://www.wisinfo.com/northwestern/news/local/stories/local_22338123.shtml
I thought the officer taking the time to help wipe the pepper spray off the bulldog was a nice touch. Of course, I can't see being that afraid of it, if it was an English Bulldog. All they do is slobber over you.
When guns are fired, it’s animals - not humans - in crosshairs
By Alex Hummel
of The Northwestern
Oshkosh Police officers haven’t discharged a gun at a human being since the 1980s.
It’s a streak officers have no intention of breaking.
A variety of animals haven’t been so lucky.
Police Department use of force records show police from 2001 through mid-2005 killed 33 animals. In all cases, the animals were injured or possibly dangerous, commonly found in neighborhoods by residents and reported to police.
Officers were tapped to put the animals out of their misery.
“It’s actually a state law and they do have the authority to do so,” said Oshkosh Area Humane Society director Joni Geiger. “They can destroy an animal if it’s a risk … I think it’s probably an individual officer’s call, but we do get called in quite frequently for animals they can’t manage or maybe don’t have the handling skills to deal with.”
No species was as unfortunate as deer, use of force records show.
Fourteen were killed over the five-year time period The Northwestern reviewed.
Raccoons fell in an unfortunate second place. Police guns dispatched 10 over the time period.
Use of force records show only four incidents in which police did not specifically disclose what kind of animal they killed.
And lethal force isn’t the only kind applied to animals, records show.
In December 2002, police responded to a “dog at large that bit two people” and “lunged” at a community service officer. The dog was “pepper-sprayed two times” and “had to be tasered” before being captured with an animal control pole, a report states.
In August 2004, a white bulldog “running at large” in the 1300 block of Western Street received a shot of pepper spray after it “came at the officer.” It was captured and transported back to its owner.
“Officers along with the resident did wipe the dog’s face and nose with a damp cloth,” the use of force report states. “The dog did not show any other injuries. No injuries to the officer or animal.”
http://www.wisinfo.com/northwestern/news/local/stories/local_22338123.shtml
I thought the officer taking the time to help wipe the pepper spray off the bulldog was a nice touch. Of course, I can't see being that afraid of it, if it was an English Bulldog. All they do is slobber over you.
