The owner of a dog that was shot and killed by a Fort
Lauderdale Police officer is suing the cop and the city seeking damages.
Robert Clements filed the lawsuit Monday against Officer
Pete Haritos over the May 4 shooting of Australian shepherd Bandy, according to
the Sun-Sentinel.
“The way to get their attention is to go after the
pocketbook. I’m still quite upset. My dog was one of my children and he was
executed by police at the age of 7,” Clements said.
His lawsuit seeks for more than $15,000 in damages.
According to Clements, Bandy and two of his dogs escaped
from his yard when a gate malfunctioned. Haritos was responding to calls
complaining of the loose dogs when Bandy charged at him, according to a police
report.
Haritos shot Brandy three times after he stomped his feet.
A Broward County animal care officer arrived shortly after
the shooting, and Clements questions why the officer didn’t wait for the animal
care officer to arrive.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has ruled the shooting
was justified and refused to comment further citing the lawsuit.
Fort Lauderdale Officers are instructed to use deadly force
only as a last resort, even with animals. A total of 13 dogs have been shot in
Fort Lauderdale since 2009 and four have died, including Bandy, according to
the Sun-Sentinel.