“It’s becoming a disturbingly familiar scene in America - mentally unstable cops”

NOPD cop charged after K-9 dog fell down hospital elevator shaft


NOPD cop charged after K-9 dog fell down hospital elevator shaft 

An NOPD officer whose police dog, Phantom, fell down an open elevator shaft and died while they worked a private detail, is scheduled for trial Friday on a charge of malfeasance in office.
Sgt. Randy Lewis, 47, elected to be tried by a judge, rather than a jury. He is facing up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine if Criminal District Court Judge Ben Willard finds him guilty as charged.
Around 9:30 p.m. on May 21, 2009, Lewis, a former supervisor in the NOPD's K-9 unit, allegedly took his police dog on a private detail, sweeping the shuttered Charity Hospital for vagrants who'd taken up residence there. The dog fell from the 17th floor into an open, partially flooded elevator shaft.
The dog's body was recovered the following day.
Though Lewis was working a private detail, he allegedly claimed on a police incident report that he was on duty and involved in a training exercise. His attorney, Eric Hessler, claimed the error was an innocent omission that does not amount to a crime.
Lewis was charged in April 2010, along with another K-9 Officer Jason Lewis. The latter, who is not related to Randy Lewis, was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals after his Belgian Malinois,Primo, died from heat stroke after being left unattended in a patrol car.
Jason Lewis pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor animal cruelty count in September 2010 and received a six-month suspended sentence. He was also ordered to pay $11,500 in restitution for the dog and was fired from the department. A state appeals court reinstated him last May, saying it found no evidence that he was negligent.
But the deaths of the two dogs caused a public uproar, largely attributable to photographs released of the car upholstery that Primo, frantic, shredded while trying to escape from the car.
The Metropolitan Crime Commission investigated the pair of incidents and used the dog's death in the elevator to highlight abuse of the police detail system.
Rafael Goyeneche, the commission's president, noted at the time that K-9 dogs are considered to be their officers' partners, and he criticized Lewis for leaving Phantom at the bottom of the flooded elevator shaft until the next day.
"To leave him at the bottom of the pit strikes at the heart," he said after his investigation.
Hessler countered that the decision was made to retrieve the dog from the flooded shaft the following morning out of safety for the officers.
Lewis remains employed by the department on desk duty. His trial is scheduled to begin Friday morning.







Cop charged in killing of dog appears in court




ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. — A Commerce City police officer finds himself on the other side of the law Tuesday during a court appearance in Adams County.
Officer Robert Price is accused of shooting and killing a family dog named Chloe on Nov. 24.
But, Price didn’t come to court alone.
His appearance triggered support and opposition.
They came out of the court room silent. About two dozen officers, in suits and ties, didn’t say a single word.
Home video shows Price firing five bullets into the Labrador-Pit bull mix.
It’s the video, along with testimony from 15 additional witnesses, and a necropsy that led the Adam’s County District Attorney’s Office to independently determine Price allegedly committed a felony of aggravated animal cruelty.
“I would like to see the officers involved with this taken off the force altogether, in no way shape or form, not a desk job. Nothing else,” says Polly, a supporter of the dog’s owner.
Those who stand behind Chloe and her owner Gary Branson also showed up.
“I love police. I love our officers. But I also need to be able to trust them–that they are here for our best interests,” says Chloe supporter, Rebecca Harrison.
And while the lips of these law enforcement officers are sealed, the Fraternal Order of Police said in this email:
“…these officers did nothing wrong and are unfortunate victims of a sensationalized media event. This matter never should have been referred to the DA’s Office…it did not meet any reasonable standard for a criminal investigation.”
“We want to support law enforcement. But in doing so, law enforcement has to be held accountable when doing something that is blatantly wrong,” says Terry, who supports Chloe’s owner.
Price was supposed to enter a plea. But a judge postponed it until April 15.
Price’s attorney also has 15 days to have his expert look at Chloe. He apparently wants to independently verify her breed. After that time, the dog must be returned to Branson.

Owner outraged after police shoot dog...where the hell is the Justice Department, why don't they move to take mentally cops off the streets?





RALEIGH (WTVD) -- A Raleigh dog owner is angry and his lab is recovering after a police officer shot the animal twice.

Police said the officer had to pull the trigger. However, the dog's owner, Stan Kreps, said it wasn't necessary.

Kreps said all his dog, Dusty, was doing was barking not biting.

"I heard, as I was putting a pot of coffee on, I heard Dusty do his barking thing," said Kreps. "I ran to the door to tell him to shut up, and I heard two pops."

Those two pops Kreps heard were shots. Two bullets were fired at his barking dog. Kreps said it happened on his own lawn.

The person firing the gun was a Raleigh police officer going to restaurant nearby on his break.

"I just think it was a snap decision and a poor decision," said Kreps.

Two bullets hit Dusty -- one in the leg and the other grazed the lab's chest.

The Raleigh Police Department said they did nothing wrong.

In a statement to ABC 11, police said, "According to witnesses, a large dog jumped off a porch and ran towards the officer, barking and growling in an aggressive manner. The witnesses reported that when the dog got close to the officer and did not stop, the officer fired two shot from his service weapon... in keeping with departmental practices, the use of force is being reviewed."

Kreps disagrees and said something needs to change because the bullets could have done a lot more damage.

"I think they should be trained in a different light when it comes to dogs," said Kreps. "To lose him, I wouldn't survive. He is my everything."

Kreps said he's waiting for police to conduct their own investigation until he decides what to do.

Police Officer Charged With Animal Cruelty



An Anne Arundel County police officer faces animal cruelty charges after a stray dog was picked up and later euthanized.
Police said Officer Stephen Harr has been placed on administrative duty, and his wife, Cheri, also has been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty.
The Harrs contacted animal control to claim the Shepherd mix, but authorites would not release the dog while it was undergoing medical treatment.
It was determined, police said, that the dog showed signs of "medical issues was believed to be the result of neglect and the failure to provide the animal with the proper medical care."
Animal control took the dog to an animal hospital in Gambrills for treatment and it underwent surgery on Jan. 3.
The dog, which showed signs of undernourishment, had been picked up in Lothian after a resident reported seeing it along Bayard Road in late December.


shows Commerce City police officer Robert Price shooting Chloe 5 times when she was already restrained

Deputy accused of shooting, killing dog
9NEWS.com
Home video from late November shows Commerce City police officer Robert Price shooting Chloe 5 times when she was already restrained. Price faces a felony charge of animal cruelty and his arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 22. Price is on paid ...

Cop Shoots Dog at Wrong Address



A Denver business owner said Adams County sheriff's deputies forced their way into his business and shot his 35-pound dog to death, an incident that occurred because the deputies went to the wrong address investigating an alarm. Jeff Fisher said his eight-year-old dog, a blue heeler/border collie mix, was not aggressive. "He turned to come back to me. And the police officer opened fire. He ran past the police officer at the door. He just wanted to see who it was. And the police officer shot him 3 times," Fisher said. "I'm yelling 'You shot my dog. You shot my dog.' And the police officer says 'You need to calm down. You can get a new dog." The alarm that deputies were investigating was next door, Fisher said.


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You shot my dog.' And the police officer says 'You need to calm down. You can get a new dog," Fisher said.

Good thing the cop didn't shoot his wife.

#1 | Posted by paneocon at 2013-01-16 10:24 AM | Reply | Flag:
Only cops, are responsible enough to own guns.
#2 | Posted by autonomous at 2013-01-16 10:26 AM | Reply | Flag:
"you can get a new dog".

"Why, yes I can, and more, with the money I plan to extract from the taxing body you work for".
#3 | Posted by oldwhiskeysour at 2013-01-16 10:42 AM | Reply | Flag:
Auto,
The fact that cops make mistakes does not make an argument for failing to well regulate arms and ammunition.
#4 | Posted by oldwhiskeysour at 2013-01-16 10:44 AM | Reply | Flag:
The cop talks about it as if he were following standard operating procedure. Are they trained to shoot dogs on sight?

If a 35lb dog running past you makes you panic and start firing a gun in public, you shouldn't be a cop. People who panic in everyday situations have no business going into law enforcement. This guy should be fired.
#5 | Posted by Sully at 2013-01-16 10:45 AM | Reply | Flag:
"You need to calm down. You can get a new dog"

One thing that cops are good at is coming up with creative ways to say GFY.
#6 | Posted by Hagbard_Celine at 2013-01-16 11:04 AM | Reply | Flag:
Good thing the cop didn't shoot his wife.

#1 | POSTED BY PANEOCON AT 2013-01-16 10:24 AM | FLAG:
Did you ask him?
#7 | Posted by BruceBanner at 2013-01-16 12:42 PM | Reply | Flag:
I've heard a few cops talk about tasering as many dogs as they can find.
#8 | Posted by BruceBanner at 2013-01-16 12:42 PM | Reply | Flag:
I've heard a few cops talk about tasering as many dogs as they can find.
#8 | Posted by BruceBanner

They provoke fights early on the last day of their week in order make an assaulting an officer arrest so they can head back to the precinct early and thereby go home early too.
#9 | Posted by Hagbard_Celine at 2013-01-16 12:48 PM | Reply | Flag:
These guys were SWAT. The guys who tattoo themselves. It's a gang mentality. People on the outside are meaningless.
#10 | Posted by BruceBanner at 2013-01-16 02:55 PM | Reply | Flag:
The fact that cops make mistakes does not make an argument for failing to well regulate arms and ammunition.

#4 | Posted by oldwhiskeysour at 2013-01-16 10:44 AM | Reply | Flag:

It just points out the hypocrisy of the gun debate by the anti gunners.

rwd
#11 | Posted by rightwingdon at 2013-01-16 06:32 PM | Reply | Flag:
Idiots we pay with firearms to defend and protect us but instead kill innocent pets and citizens. We need to see major prison sentences for those involved instead of the typical "no action warranted"
#12 | Posted by Robson at 2013-01-16 07:46 PM | Reply | Flag:
Sounds like a cop that needs a different job.
#13 | Posted by Tor at 2013-01-16 07:51 PM | Reply | Flag:
I'd have punched the cop out, and he'd have deserved it.

If he threatened me with assault charges, I'd remind him his dumb f butt was at the wrong house and he was guilty of home invasion and animal cruelty.
#14 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2013-01-16 07:56 PM | Reply | Flag:
Every time a cop does this thing, they should get shot themselves. In the head. With a bazooka.
#15 | Posted by CHICKENONGRILL at 2013-01-16 08:12 PM | Reply | Flag:
The dog had some human DNA! It was his son! Quick! Throw it at a Hell's Angel!
#16 | Posted by parjosg2 at 2013-01-16 08:13 PM | Reply | Flag:
Only cops, are responsible enough to own guns.

If these are the psychologically tested and well-trained gun holders, can you imagine the level of the average NRA member?
#17 | Posted by northguy3 at 2013-01-16 09:48 PM | Reply | Flag:
That guy is in world of hurt. Blue Heelers and Border Collies are considered the smartest dogs in the world, not mention their loyalty and devotion to their owners. I've had a Heeler/Chow mix and she was priceless. I feel for the owner.
#18 | Posted by coyote at 2013-01-16 09:54 PM | Reply | Flag:
But good news for the dog at the right address.
#19 | Posted by HeliumRat at 2013-01-16 10:29 PM | Reply | Flag:
DOG is GOD spelled Backwards .
#20 | Posted by randyrage at 2013-01-16 10:33 PM | Reply | Flag:
"DOG is GOD spelled Backwards ."

Yes.

And orange rhymes with porridge.
#21 | Posted by Hans at 2013-01-16 10:38 PM | Reply | Flag:
Jeff needs also to sue the cop personally because he did not act accordantly to the law. And took maters into his own hands which is not within the guidelines of the law!

Then sue the piss out of the city!!!
#22 | Posted by Pawnansell at 2013-01-16 10:58 PM | Reply | Flag:
I wonder what would have happened if the guy had an AR-15 and shot the cops defending himself and his dog from the 'armed invaders forcing their way into his business'....
I can hear it now, "Hey you shot a cop!" followed by "It's ok the county can hire a new one."
#23 | Posted by BGMacaw at 2013-01-17 04:44 AM | Reply | Flag:
A dead dog is a good dog.
#24 | Posted by fwthom at 2013-01-17 08:33 AM | Reply | Flag:
A dead dog is a good dog. Especially with shallots and a wine reduction sauce.

The zero
#25 | Posted by goatman at 2013-01-17 08:38 AM | Reply | Flag:


#27 | Posted by goatman at 2013-01-17 08:53 AM | Reply | Flag:
Thanks Goat,

Interesting parallels as I am a retired ET and my oldest son is a PhD Engineer who designs those sub-sea oil trees. We have had many similar discussions. Matt Damon may be an idiot propagandist but I have enjoyed many of his movies.
#28 | Posted by fwthom at 2013-01-17 09:07 AM | Reply | Flag:
So if He returned fire and shot a police dog would it be ok because we can get a new cop dog? No he would be arrested for killing a cop.

The cop should be arrested.

Quick! Call PETA! Oh and the men in White coats! I have been attacked by several dogs! I've figured out that they have more rights than we do, even though they areall wolves in people's DNA manipulation! Still wolves!
#33 | Posted by parjosg2 at 2013-01-17 10:03 AM | Reply | Flag:
An ordiinary citizen would go to jail for doing the same thing (unless they're very rich) and can be jailed just for hurting an animal. That's what happens when everything becomes a business.
#34 | Posted by nutcase at 2013-01-17 10:23 AM | Reply | Flag:
...
......if only the dog was armed .....
#35 | Posted by skizziks at 2013-01-17 10:27 AM | Reply | Flag:

Adams County deputy accused of wrongfully shooting, killing dog


ADAMS CO. - New accusations of a law enforcement officer opening fire on a dog in Adams County.

The shooting occurred shortly after 8 p.m. Monday in the 5400 block of Tennyson Street in Denver.

Business owner Jeff Fisher says Adams County sheriff's deputies went to the wrong address and killed his dog Ziggy, who was simply running outside to check things out.

"That's my son. I've had him for 8 years. That's my son," Fisher said.

Fisher says Ziggy came to work with him every day.

See a slideshow of Ziggy

Ziggy was a 35 pound, 8-year-old blue heeler/border collie mix who Fisher says was not aggressive.

He says two Adams County deputies forced their way into Fisher's business, startling his dog which ran outside.

"He turned to come back to me. And the police officer opened fire. He ran past the police officer at the door. He just wanted to see who it was. And the police officer shot him 3 times," he said.

Fisher says Ziggy was about 15 feet from the deputy who opened fire.

"And I'm yelling 'You shot my dog. You shot my dog.' And the police officer says 'You need to calm down. You can get a new dog," Fisher said.

Fisher described the whole situation as "surreal" and claims Ziggy was not being aggressive.

"That dog was my best friend," Fisher said. "They never informed they were police officers ... They shot him on a concrete slab. It's never going to be the same. I raised that guy since he was 6 weeks old."

Fisher just wants the police to take "responsibility for their actions."

"[Ziggy's] not going to jump on my bed anymore," Fisher said crying.
 Fisher says those deputies went to the wrong address and the alarm they were sent to investigate was next door.

Attorney Jennifer Edwards with the Animal Law Center represents Fisher and the owner of Chloe, a dog who was shot and killed in Commerce City in late November.

"What is going on? This is becoming an epidemic in Colorado," Edwards said.

Home video from late November shows Commerce City police officer Robert Price shooting Chloe 5 times when she was already restrained.

Price faces a felony charge of animal cruelty and his arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 22.

Price is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal case against him.

"There is something very wrong in these departments and something has got to be done about it. They're taking our family members," Edwards said.

Edwards says killing a family pet is a "fourth-amendment violation."

Edwards is a large proponent of additional training for police officers in dealing with unknown pets.

"The people of Colorado should be outraged," Edwards said.

Fisher filed a complaint against Adams County and has sought to preserve evidence in the case, Edwards says.

Reached by phone Tuesday afternoon, Adams County Undersheriff Roger Engelsman told 9NEWS "It's our goal to complete a thorough investigation of this matter, so we have the ability to answer questions that citizens may have regarding the incident and to do the right thing for the dog owner."

9NEWS invited the Adams County Sheriff's office to tell their side but were told nobody will be answering questions on camera at this time and the office will not comment further until their investigation is over.

Both deputies involved in the shooting are still on duty.

Fisher plans to file a lawsuit.

He says nothing can erase the pain of losing Ziggy.

"I don't understand how you shoot a dog three times that's not aggressive," Fisher said. "All he wanted to do was play."

Police Shoot Man’s Dog Three Times After Going to His House by Mistake: ‘They Killed My Dog for No Reason’


A man in Adams County, Colo. lost his best friend after he says deputies shot his dog three times for “no reason.”
Tragically, Jeff Fisher said police went to his house by mistake. When he opened his door for the deputies, his dog Ziggy ran outside and officers shot and killed him.

“Fisher said Ziggy was his best friend and can’t believe he’s gone,” CBS Denver reports.

“(He went to the door) to see who it was and the police officer shot him three times…They killed my dog for no reason,” he said.

Adams County sheriff’s deputies were reportedly responding to reports of a business alarm going off. A spokesman with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office would not provide any additional details until the investigation is complete.

 

Controversy roils over dog shot by police in Chicago

"He shot the puppy!" several neighbors screamed simultaneously, shocked by the actions of one Chicago police officer.

On Saturday afternoon, Dec. 1, Al Phillips, who lives on Chicago's north side, received a call from a neighbor that a police officer was writing a parking ticket in front of Phillips' house. It was a beautiful day, and Phillips' three dogs had been playing in the yard, but, "as I walked outside the gate to talk to the police officer, I left the door ajar and the puppy walked out," Al told me.

That puppy is Colonel, a 7-month-old Miniature Bull Terrier affectionately dubbed "Col. Phillips" by neighborhood residents.

Al, 75, said he didn't hear the police officer issue a warning, or say anything. In TV reports, witnesses claimed the officer said, "The dog is loose." Within seconds, and without any additional warning, the officer shot at the puppy, twice.

"I heard the shots, but couldn't believe it," Al told me.

There were several witnesses, and their accounts to local TV have been consistent. Not only was the puppy not approaching the police officer, but Colonel was at least a car length away, sniffing at a tree.

It was only a matter of minutes before additional police arrived on the scene, and neighbors streamed from their homes and the high-rise across the street. About this time, Al said, his daughter, Morgan, happened to pull up.

"Some people were screaming," Morgan recalled.

Meanwhile, Colonel had run down the street. A neighbor had grabbed the dog, who was bleeding profusely. Police on the scene were saying nothing, some looking down to the ground, but none offered to help, Morgan told me. She rushed Colonel to the Chicago Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center.

(It's possible neither shot was a direct hit. According to news reports, the bullets ricocheted off concrete or a fence. Had they had been direct hits, Colonel might have died, Al and Morgan Phillips said. After surgery, the pup is recovering well.)

As for the officer who shot at Colonel, Al, his wife, Barbara, and Morgan said (and witnesses confirmed in TV reports) that he calmly finished writing the ticket, as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

Phillips, who owns World Gym locations in the Chicago area, told me, "Clearly, the parking ticket was a higher priority for this officer. What kind of person does this?"

"I once lived with a Chicago cop, and they are taught that even when they're under fire, not to shoot in busy neighborhoods, unless they absolutely must," Morgan told me. "It was a nice day, and people were everywhere. Right where Colonel was when he was shot, a woman was walking down the street with her dog pushing a baby stroller. Her baby might have been hit. It's only a stroke of luck that a bullet didn't hit anyone."

This story made the news, which apparently the police weren't too thrilled about. Two days after the shooting, a sergeant and a lieutenant from the Chicago Police Department showed up at the Phillips' home.

"I thought they were sending honchos over to apologize," Barbara told me.

Instead, Al and Barbara said, the police questioned why the family had gone to the media, and insisted that the officer who shot at their dog is a "good man." When Al and Barbara were clearly unwilling to promise "no more media," they were issued a ticket for Colonel being off-leash two days prior.

At first, the City denied this visit ever took place, however, a TV news crew happened to be there and caught it on tape. Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy weighed in with these comments on Fox TV News:

"Unfortunately, officers get bit by dogs frequently. We don't have to wait to get bit by a dog, we don't have to wait to get shot at before we take steps to protect ourselves. We have to shoot dogs frequently in the city. There's a story about last night where we made a robbery arrest and somebody released a pit bull and attacked the officer and had to be shot."

"I don't even know how to respond to that statement," Al Phillips told me. "It's one thing when police are threatened by a dog; it's another to shoot an innocent puppy."

The Phillips' have sued the city and police officer for "in excess of $50,000."

"What we really want," Al said, "Is for the officer (who shot at Colonel) to be taken off the streets and to get help. And for a change of attitude, perhaps through mandated training, so this never happens again."

According to Ledy VanKavage, senior legislative analyst at Best Friends Animal Society, "Incidents like this happen all the time across the country, where innocent dogs are shot by police. This ranges from officers approaching the wrong house with a warrant and shooting a dog, to shooting a lost 12-year-old Golden Retriever who wasn't threatening anyone. It's amazing. All states should mandate training and these actions should not be deemed acceptable."

As for the Chicago police side of the story, a spokesperson told me they had nothing more to add.

After all, what more can they say? Barbara Phillips noted, "How about, 'I'm sorry that I shot your puppy'?"

Of course, Colonel should never have been shot at in the first place, assuming all witness accounts of the incident are accurate. Aside from training to help police better recognize canine body language, and so officers don't instantly resort to lethal force, perhaps understanding why dogs are so often a target would also be helpful. Dogs may legally be property, but emotionally they are beloved members of our families.

Louisiana police shoot elderly dog in fenced yard

Senior dog shot by police
 
 
A family's elderly dog was shot and killed in her own Lafayette, La. yard after police officers responded to a house alarm call on Monday.
According to Monday's KTDY News, twoLafayette police officers were dispatched to the home of Matt and Michelle Sonnier on Montauban Drive after the family's security alarm went off.
While investigating the exterior of the house, the officers entered the residents' fenced back yard where they encountered the family's senior dog.
For some reason, the officers felt that the 15-year-old shepherd mix posed a deadly threat and both officer fired their guns, killing her.
Tragically, the alarm went off after a door was inadvertently left unlatched - there never was an intruder.
The Lafayette Police are investigating the incident as standard procedure following the discharge of an officer's gun.

Baltimore City Officer Fatally Shoots Family Pit Bull In The Head

Kincaid
 
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—A Baltimore City family is outraged after they say a Baltimore City cop shot and killed their beloved dog.
Rochelle Ritchie has more on why the dog became the target of police.
The family says police were chasing a suspect through their yard when the dog ran out of the home and started barking. They believe what happened next was because of a stereotype about pit bulls.
The Fields family now has a different idea of what it means to protect and serve after they say their dog Kincaid was shot several times by the gun of a Baltimore City cop.
“He wasn’t just our dog. He was our family,” said Stacey Fields, dog owner. “It’s a horrible thing seeing your dog that you love  laying on the ground dead and bloody.”
Fields says several officers were chasing a suspect through the alley when the suspect made a b-line for their yard.
Kincaid ran out of his home, barking into the backyard at the commotion.
“He was sitting on the porch. One cop was there and another was there, and the kid was in the basement,” Edward Augustine described.
The Fields family says the suspect ran down into their basement, and the cop was standing at the top of the steps with his gun drawn. They say before the suspect was placed in handcuffs, their dog was dead.
“He said ‘Get your dog, sir.’  I said ‘I got him.’ That officer turned for no reason and shot six times,” Augustine said.
Kincaid was shot three times, twice in the head.
His blood stains are still visible in the yard.
“He was just barking like ‘Hey, what are doing in my yard? Who are you?’” Fields said.
The family believes because of their dog’s breed, the 3-year-old pit bull mix was profiled as a vicious dog.
“If it was a Cockapoo or a Chihuahua it probably wouldn’t have happened,” Fields said.
A court ruling last summer went so far as to label pit bulls inherently dangerous.
The family doesn’t expect justice for Kincaid’s death. They only hope that a dog’s duty to protect and serve won’t end in what they call a senseless loss.
“If he had pulled his mace, Kincaid would still be here,” Fields said.
Baltimore City police say the dog was shot because he charged at the officers.