The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Animal Control The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Animal Control
Showing posts with label Animal Control. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Animal Control. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Touching Photos of Dogs Shared on Social Media Leads to Multiple Rescues from Animal Control


With the help of social media, and thanks to a poignant photo taken by a volunteer photographer, an entire "album" of dogs who were slated to be put down on October 7 in Brighton, Tennessee, have been saved.

The non-profit organization, Paws and Claws Photography for Tipton County Animal Shelter, posted a photo of a young, female German shepherd mix hugging a volunteer, to their Facebook page and the response from those who viewed the image was immediate - shares and comments began to pour in.

The emotional photo was captioned with the following words:

Kennel D2-female-This girl just sits by her kennel door with her face pressed against the door like she is waiting for her owner

Before the dreaded "E-Day" arrived, the page was updated with amazing news for the Facebook page followers:

It is absolutely amazing what all of you have done tonight! Thanks to your shares and generous donations every single one of these dogs will get their freedom ride in the morning! THANK YOU!!!

On Tuesday, an update about the dog who sparked the initial wave of compassion and good will, was shared with those individuals who were clamoring for updates about her fate:

This girl has been taken into the PAWS New England rescue. Anyone interested in adopting her will need to do so through PAWS New England. She is not going to another shelter, but she is going to a foster home.

Paws and Claws Photography for Tipton County Animal Shelter created the Facebook page, which is managed by a group of volunteers, with the intent of increasing adoptions at the Tipton County Animal Shelter through photography - based on this week's amazing accomplishment, their efforts seem to be working.








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Saturday, September 20, 2014

Dog Branded With The "F-Word" On Her Side Gets Cosmetic Surgery


A pit-bull puppy named Felicity that was branded with the "f-word" by chemical burns had cosmetic surgery in Kentucky on Thursday to mask the scar.

Felicity was found last month tied to a fence in Lexington with the scar on her side. She was taken in by the Lexington Humane Society, who said that they wanted to perform the surgery before sending her to a new home. Liz Ubelhor, the veterinarian who performed the procedure, said the people who burned her likely used a chemical paste or liquid.

Lexington Humane Society development manager Ashley Hammond told WKYT, "We think doing plastic surgery on her will make her a little more adoptable and we don't want people to make judgments on her based on her appearance." Hundreds of dollars were donated to help the Humane Society pay for Felicity's procedure.

The Lexington Humane Society is offering a $3,500 reward for information on who burned Felicity. Despite tips Animal Control has received, no arrests have been made, WKYT reports. Animal control has asked that anyone with information on what happened to Felicity to contact them at 859-255-9033 ext. 229.







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Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Deadly Cobra Sought After Biting Dog Near Los Angeles


A "very dangerous" albino cobra was being hunted Wednesday, two days after it bit a dog and disappeared in a suburban neighborhood near Los Angeles, authorities said.

Officers with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and local animal control were searching for the venomous monocoled cobra in Thousand Oaks.

Residents were warned to keep pets inside, shut their doors and "stay as far away as possible," animal-control spokesman Brandon Dowling told the Los Angeles Times.

"It is vitally important for families to closely supervise children and instruct them to avoid any snakes, as well as playing in and around animal burrows, pipes and culverts where snakes may seek refuge," the department said in a statement.

The injured dog was reported in critical condition after being bitten Monday, though its owner did not report the snake bite until Tuesday, he said. The man took a photo of the cobra before it vanished.

A cobra bite can kill a human within an hour.

It's illegal to keep cobras or other venomous snakes in Los Angeles. Authorities have not located the snake's owner.

The monocled cobra is native to South and Southeast Asia. An adult snake can grow to between 4 and 7 feet long.







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Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Washington Humane Society - This Past Weekend American University Radio Continued Their Series with Our Animal Care and Control on The Animal House - Highlighting the Need for Our Emergency Response Vehicles to be Equipped with Lights and Sirens


Washington, DC - This past weekend, WAMU 88.5 - American University Radio continued their series with WHS Animal Care and Control on The Animal House, once more highlighting the need for our emergency response vehicles to be equipped with lights and sirens.

City Councilmember Mary Cheh's bill to equip our emergency vehicles will help us to provide timely and effective service and save more lives with quicker response times.



Click here to listen: The State of Emergency Status For Animal Control Officers


                                                                         Click on images to enlarge.

 photo whs-animalcontroltruckbytheCapitol_zps2a21cbb6.jpg    photo WHS_-RayNoll1_zps8a16b791.jpg

Raymond Noll, Director of Animal Control Field Services for the Washington Humane Society, answering an emergency call to capture a roof hoping pea fowl in Southeast Washington, D.C.

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Thursday, August 7, 2014

What Should Be on The Answering Machine of Every Rescue and Shelter


Hello: You have reached… (713) 281-0000.

Due to the high volume of calls we have been receiving, please listen closely to the following options and choose the one that best describes you or your situation:

Press 1: If you have a 10-year-old dog and your 15-year-old son has suddenly become allergic and you need to find the dog a new home right away.

Press 2:  If you are moving today and need to immediately place your 150 pound, 8-year-old dog.

Press 3:  If you have three dogs, had a baby and want to get rid of your dogs because you are the only person in the world to have a baby and dogs at the same time.

Press 4:  If you just got a brand new puppy and your old dog is having problems adjusting so you want to get rid of the old one right away.

Press 5:  If your little puppy has grown up and is no longer small and cute and you want to trade it in for a new model.

Press 6:  If you want an unpaid volunteer to come to your home  TODAY and pick up the dog you no longer want.

Press 7:  If you have been feeding and caring for a “stray” for the last three years, are moving and suddenly determine it’s not your dog.

Press 8:  If your dog is sick and needs a vet but you need the money for your vacation.

Press 9:  If you are elderly and want to adopt a cute puppy who is not active and is going to outlive you.

Press 10: If your relative has died and you don’t want to care for their elderly dog because it no longer fits your lifestyle.

Press 11: If your cat is biting and not using the litter box because it is declawed, but you are not willing to accept the responsibility that the cat’s behavior is altered because of your nice furniture.

Press 12: If your two-year old male dog is marking all over your house but you just haven’t gotten around to having him neutered.

Press 13: If you previously had an outdoor only dog and are calling because she is suddenly pregnant.

Press 14: If you are calling at 6 a.m. to make sure you wake me up before I have to go to work so you can drop a dog off on your way to work.

Press 15: To leave us an anonymous garbled message, letting us know you have left a dog in our yard in the middle of January, which is in fact, better than just leaving the dog with no message.

Press 16: If you are going to get angry because we are not going to take your dog that you have had for fifteen years, because it is not our responsibility.

Press 17: If you are going to threaten to take your ten-year old dog to be euthanized because I won’t take it.

Press 18:  If you’re going to get angry because the volunteers had the audacity to go on vacation and leave the dogs in care of a trusted
volunteer who is not authorized to take your personal pet.

Press 19:  If you want one of our PERFECTLY trained, housebroken, kid and cat friendly purebred dogs that we have an abundance of.

Press 20:  If you want us to take your dog that has a slight aggression problem, i.e. has only bitten a few people and killed your neighbor’s cats.

Press 21:  If you have already called once and been told we don’t take personal surrenders but thought you would get a different person this time with a different answer.

Press 22:  If you want us to use space that would go to a stray to board your personal dog while you are on vacation, free of charge, of course.

Press 23:  If it is Christmas Eve or Easter morning and you want me to deliver an eight week old puppy to your house by 6:30 am before your kids wake up.

Press 24:  If you have bought your children a duckling, chick or baby bunny for Easter and it is now Christmas and no longer cute.

Press 25:  If you want us to take your female dog who has already had ten litters, but we can’t spay her because she is pregnant again and it is against your religion.

Press 26:  If you’re lying to make one of our younger volunteers feel bad and take your personal pet off your hands.

Press 27:  If you have done “everything” to housebreak your dog and have had no success but you don’t want to crate the dog because it is cruel.

Press 28:  If you didn’t listen to the message asking for an evening phone number and you left your work number when all volunteers are also working and you are angry because no one called you back.

Press 29:  If you need a puppy immediately and cannot wait because today is your daughter’s birthday and you forgot when she was born.

Press 30:  If your dog’s coat doesn’t match your new furniture and you need a different color or breed.

Press 31:  If your new love doesn’t like your dog and you are too stupid to get rid of the new friend (who will dump you in the next month anyway) instead of the dog.

Press 32:  If you went through all these ‘options’ and didn’t hear enough. This press will connect you to the sounds of tears being shed by one of our volunteers who is holding a discarded old dog while the vet mercifully frees him from the grief of missing his family.

Author Unknown, but much appreciated!

Please remember that if you can not commit to fur-always or at least the next 13-17 years, DON’T BUY A PET!   It is not a shelter’s or rescue’s obligation to take on your commitments.  They do so out of fear that you will kill them if they don’t, and dumping them anywhere, even alone on the side of a road is abuse!

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Monday, August 4, 2014

Dayton, Ohio - More Than 200 Pet Rats Were Removed from an Ohio Apartment After Their Owner was Evicted.


More than 200 pet rats were removed from an Ohio apartment after their owner was evicted.

Animal control officers who rescued the rodents on Thursday said some were in cages while others roamed free and were living in holes in the walls and inside a mattress. They said the smell was 'awful'.

The rodents' owner, John, contacted the Humane Society of Greater Dayton after he was evicted from his Kettering studio and could no longer care for them.

"They make great pets for children. They are very durable and they are very sweet and very nice; however, you don’t want to have 200 of them," animal officer Sheila Marquis told Dayton Daily News.

"What becomes a problem is, you have one or two and with small pocket pets like that, if you don’t spay and neuter, they breed quite rapidly."

Marquis said the rats begin breeding at three-months-old and have litters of 13 or more several times a year.

She said no charges are expected because the owner reached out for help and the rodents were well cared for.

The owner's neighbor Darryl Tucker said the man loved his pets.
"And you know, he just chose to raise rats. He’s real close to his rats, he can tell you anything about them," he said.






Feral: More than 200 pet rats were rescued from a Kettering apartment in suburban Dayton, Ohio on Thursday.


Rescuer: Sheila Marquis, an animal officer from Humane Society of Greater Dayton, worked with a team to remove more than 200 pet rats from an awful-smelling Ohio apartment.



      Breed rapidly: Humane Society of Greater Dayton said there might even be as many as 300 of the rats.

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Sunday, August 3, 2014

Police Spotted a 150 Pound Giant Tortoise Strolling Down a Street in Suburban Los Angeles


Alhambra, Calif. –  At least officers didn't have to issue a speeding ticket when they spotted a giant tortoise ambling down a street suburban Los Angeles.

The Alhambra Police Department joked on its Facebook page that the 150-pound reptile was captured Saturday afternoon after a brief pursuit.

"The tortoise did try to make a run for it; but, our officers are pretty fast," the post said.

It took two officers to heft the hard-shelled creature into a patrol car. They then took the reptile to the local police station before turning it over to animal control authorities.

Giant tortoises are not indigenous to the Los Angeles area.

Police are asking anyone with a big tortoise that went missing this weekend to contact them. They aren't sure if this one escaped or was abandoned by its owner.

Police say this particular reptile has some distinctive markings. They aren't revealing them for the time being, however, to ensure that whoever claims the tortoise is its rightful owner.

Update: From Alhambra Police Department's Facebook Page:

The tortoise is actually named "Dirk." He has been reunited with his human family who actually live in Alhambra. According to 21310 of the Penal Code, it is illegal to possess a "dirk."

We enjoy keeping families together, so an exception was made in this case.

We stand corrected and have edited this post at 4:30 p.m. The tortoises' confirmed name is CLARK. Thank you Alhambra partners and FB friends! Until next time.



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Thursday, July 31, 2014

Houston Police Officer Leaves Family’s Senior Chihuahua, Mostly Blind from Cataracts Alone on Curb, Arrests Owner - Dog Gets Hit by a Car and Dies


The mayor of Houston, Texas, apologized last week to a woman whose beloved family dog died when a police officer forced her husband to leave it on the side of the road after a traffic stop. The helpless little 14-year-old chihuahua was already mostly blind from cataracts and didn’t stand a chance when the officer arrested Josie Garcia’s husband, on a charge that was quickly dropped anyway ,and refused to let him call anyone to pick up the dog.

Josie Garcia appeared at a Houston City Council meeting on July 22 to tell her story.

On July 14, she said her husband gave a friend a ride home from a family gathering when a Houston police officer pulled his truck over, saying that he made a turn without using his turn signal.

The cop then searched the car and found, according to court records, that the friend was in possession of the drug PCP. The officer then took the two men into custody. But Garcia said her husband pleaded with the officer to let someone come and pick up Guero, the lovable chihuahua who enjoyed riding in the truck and was along for the trip.

But the Houston officer refused, telling the man to leave the dog by the side of the road, but according to Garcia, the arresting cop said it wasn’t his problem, that the dog would be fine.”

What makes the story even more unbelievable is that the arrest happened close by to Houston’s Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care. But in addition to refusing to allow the man to call someone to get Guero, the officer didn’t even bother to call animal control to collect the dog.

Charges against Garcia’s husband were dropped and they put up “lost dog” posters, hoping someone had picked Gero up and they would see the dog again. Instead, they got a call from a Good Samaritan who said he saw Guero wandering up a freeway ramp near where the officer forced him to be abandoned.

The Good Samaritan said he tried to get the dog, but traffic was too heavy. Before he could reach Guero, the dog was struck and killed.

“Let me give you a public apology right now on behalf of the city of Houston,” Mayor Annise Parker said at the council meeting. “I don’t know what airhead, there’s another word in my mind but I’m not going to say it — would throw, you wouldn’t put a kid on the side of the road. You shouldn’t put someone’s pet on the side of the road.”

The report is one of many recently involving family dogs killed by police officers, seemingly for no reason.

The Houston Police Department says an investigation into what happened and why Guero was dumped on the road could take an astounding six months.


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Friday, July 18, 2014

You May Have Seen an Editorial in the Washington Post titled "Why I'd Never Adopt a Shelter Dog Again" - An Advocate Responds to that Editorial - What She Had to Say



I posted the editorial yesterday, by, Erin Auerbach, titled "Why I'd Never Adopt a Shelter Dog Again." If you missed it, you can read it here: Sharing This Story from The Washington Post (PostEverything Section) - Why I’d Never Adopt a Shelter Dog Again - What Are Your Thoughts?


This is the response by, Nina Stively, Nationally Certified Animal Control Officer

When Misperceptions Cost Lives

I don’t know what possessed me to even read something entitled “Why I’d Never Adopt a Shelter Dog Again,” written by Erin Auerbach, who also wrote a story entitled, “I Hope My Dogs Die Soon ,” but call me a glutton for punishment.

I love shelter dogs. I also love purebred dogs (some breeds more than others). I don’t think loving one is mutually exclusive of the other — especially considering the frequency with which you can find purebred dogs in shelters and rescues. However, I know shelter pets need all the help they can get, so seeing someone in a high-profile publication stomp their feet and complain in circles, without taking the chance to educate people, is just plain sad.


Although reputable breeders screen for preventable diseases inherent in a breed, some ailments cannot be predicted.

What frustrates me most about these articles, is, when it comes to health, there are no guarantees. Not in humans, not in plants, and not in dogs. In an effort to create a healthy litter, a reputable breeder will screen their dogs for health problems that are common and inherited in that breed, before they plan the breeding. A French Bulldog, the type of dog the author chooses in this article, would at the very least, be screened for heart, eye, and knee problems common to the breed. Her first dog lived to be more than 10 years old and eventually succumbed to cancer; her second dog struggled with epilepsy. While I greatly value the importance of preventative screening, neither of these afflictions could have been predicted by a pre-breeding screen. The author herself claims her previous shelter dogs lived “extraordinarily long lives,” so, to me, this whole story seems like an unfounded rant taken out on a population who so desperately need someone to look their way, instead of swearing them off altogether.

Auerbach claims the 2-year-old dog she ultimately purchased was being sold because his color was not suitable for the show ring — even though most breeders state French Bulldogs develop their full adult color by 16 weeks of age. I have no doubt that the author loves her dog, but to suggest that a breeder did not realize the dog’s incorrect color in two years means perhaps, she did not do her research either. In which case, why are we listening to her?

There are no guarantees in life and there are no guarantees as to how any of us will die. I am very sorry Ms. Auerbach has chosen to use her public platform to decry the adoption of homeless pets when, without people fighting in their corner, millions will die each year for no reason other than for lack of a home.

If you are looking to buy a puppy and don’t want to check your shelter or purebred rescue, please consider responsible breeders, but just because saving a life is not what you choose to do, please don’t encourage others to do the same without doing your research. With 5 to 7 million pets entering shelters each year, we are their voices, and often the only ones they have.

Do you have an adopted pet who has changed your life? Let’s share some stories and get the word out there that adoption is an awesome option. Together, we can change misperceptions and save lives.

Nina Stively has worked in animal welfare for the past 10 years and is a Nationally Certified Animal Control Officer. She loves planning pet adoption events and is a closeted "cat person". She shares her home with two dogs, three cats, an assortment of foster animals, and one very patient husband.



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Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Grieving Pup Almost Dies of a Broken Heart Until Cop Swoops In - A Heartwarming Story!



What could have been a truly tragic tail has a silver lining thanks to Virginia police officer Karen Spencer-Boyles! The dog-ruving officer spotted two pups in the middle of the highway and just knew she had to paw it forward.

In 2009, Spencer-Boyles’ pup, Tex, ran out into the road and was hit by a car. A stranger stopped to help save her dog’s life that day, and Spencer-Boyles didn’t hesitate to return the favor when she saw the chance.

When she approached the scene, Spencer-Boyles realized that one of the dogs had been hit by a car and died, and his grieving friend wouldn’t leave his fallen friend’s side. The kind-hearted officer removed the pup from harm and soothed him.

The rescued pup has been nicknamed Giusseppe and was collected by Richmond Animal Care & Control, who believes he has an owner because he is neutered and was wearing a flea collar. If the owner does not collect him within 10 days, Guisseppe will be put up for adoption. Contact Richmond Animal Control at (804) 646-5573.

UPDATE: Boomer, a.k.a. Giusseppe, escaped when someone accidentally left the gate to his yard open, but he was happily reunited with his owner thanks to Richmond Animal Care & Control and his microchip. High paws all around!





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Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Loyal Dog Stands by Deceased Owner in Scorching-Hot Oklahoma Temps - Guards his Body for Hours Despite Nearly 100F Heat



A fiercely loyal dog was found in the searing Oklahoma heat Saturday steadfastly refusing to leave the side of his deceased owner.

Animal control officers in Oklahoma City were called to the scene as the bull terrier fought hard to stay in the 100 degree Fahrenheit heat.

Now at the local shelter, the dog's defiance has turned to sorrow as he displays behaviors strongly associated with mourning: he refuses to eat, to drink or even lift his head.

Loyal: Oklahoma City officials are seen here struggling to get a fiercely loyal bull terrier away from his deceased owner in the searing summer heat.


Sad: Even with temperatures nearing 100F, the dog stayed with his dead owner and fought hard to stay with him as officials dragged him away.

"The dog kept wanting to pull back to go back to where the remains of where the deceased owner was," Oklahoma City Animal Shelter supervisor Sheridan Lowery told KFOR.

Officials said the dog had remained at the body of his likely transient owner, who died from natural causes, despite having every opportunity to go find water and shelter from the relentless sun.

After authorities arrived and eventually pried the pooch away, he was taken to the animal shelter, where he remained Monday.

                  Mourning: The pooch is now exhibiting classic signs of grief: he won't eat, sleep or even lift his head.

"Their owner is deceased. They don¿t know what is going on. They don't know how to act. They don't know how to react," said Oklahoma City Animal shelter supervisor Sheridan Lowery.






Footage of the dog shows him unable at times to even muster the will to lift his head.
They're the classic signs of grief, from which even dogs can suffer.

"Their owner is deceased. They don’t know what is going on. They don’t know how to act. They don’t know how to react," said Lowery.


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Thursday, July 10, 2014

UPDATE! Woman Comes Forward as Owner of Abandoned Dog with "Free" and "I Need a Home" Written on It



Yesterday, I told you about a dog that was found with the words, "FREE" and "I Need a Home" written on it's forehead and sides.

The owner of an abandoned dog with the words "free" and "I need a home" written on it in permanent marker found in a Northern California community last week has come forward, police said.

A Yolo County woman on Wednesday drove to the Benicia Police Department and provided photos, veterinarian records and witness testimony to prove that she is the dog's owner.

The woman also told police the dog somehow got out of her yard and has no idea how the pet ended up in Benicia.

Police do not suspect the woman played a part in the dog's abuse and abandonment.

The dog was found on July 3 in downtown Benicia by Shannon Bettencourt, who said the pet was scared and shaking.

"I was heartbroken, it was really sad," Bettencourt said in a previous interview with NBC Bay Area. "Nobody wants to see an animal like that ever."

Bettencourt took the dog home and named her Libby, short for Liberty. She thought it was appropriate since she found Libby the day before the Fourth of July.

Bettencourt had plans to formally adopt Libby this week.

























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Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Libby, An Abandoned Dog Found with the Word "Free" Written on Her Sides, and "I Need A Home on Her Forehead", Finds Her Forever Home!



It’s a sad fact, dogs are abandoned every day. But, not usually in the shocking manner that this sweet girl was left.

Shannon Bettencourt was walking in downtown Benicia, California on July 3 when she spotted a dog, scared and whimpering next to a tree outside of a Chinese restaurant. The frightened dog had ‘FREE’ scrawled across her sides in black magic marker and the words ‘I need a home’ scribbled on her forehead.

“The first thing I thought was to call the police but then I was like no, they’re going to call animal control,” Bettencourt explained to KTVU News. “I didn’t know what could happen from there. I was like no way, I’ll at least keep her for the night.”

One night was all Bettencourt needed to fall in love with the sweet old girl.

“Somebody just kind of treated her like trash but she ended up being my treasure,” Bettencourt told reporters.

She decided to keep her and named her Libby, short for Liberty since she was found so close to Independence Day. Bettencourt says Libby is very smart, well-behaved, and clearly has had some training, making it even more shocking that someone would abandon her so carelessly.

As sad as her story started, Bettencourt says that finding Libby was a blessing. She’ll spend the rest of her days being loved by her new forever family.



















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Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Salt Lake City, Utah - Furious Man Confronts Police After Learning They Killed His Dog


Residents in Salt Lake City, Utah are up in arms after a local police officer shot and killed a man’s beloved pet dog last month while responding to a missing child report.

Authorities found the displaced toddler unharmed and sleeping inside its home around 30 minutes after they entered the yard of Sean Kendall on June 18 and killed his 110-pound Weimaraner, “Geist.”

The incident has since managed to garner the attention of animal lovers in and out of Salt Lake City after Kendall published on the web a cell phone video he recorded as he accosted the police outside his home moments after learning what had happened.

"About 15 minutes ago, I got a phone call from Utah Animal Control, calling to tell me that an officer had shot and killed my dog," Kendall says in the beginning of the clip. "He was inside my backyard in a fenced-off area. What was the cause for the officer to shoot and kill my dog?"

The footage next shows Kendall arriving at his resident in the city’s Sugar House neighborhood and furiously questioning the cops.

"What was the probable cause to trespass on private property and shoot my dog?" an outraged Kendall asks on camera.

“We entered the yard looking for a lost child,” Sgt. Joseph Cyr responds, according to Fox13Now. An officer on the scene “was threatened by the dog and shot the dog,” Cyr added. “That’s as simple as it gets.”

“So I get to bury my dog because an officer couldn’t back up and close the fucking gate,” the irate owner replies.

So far, police have only said that the dog approached the officer in an “aggressive manner,” prompting the cop to open fire.

The video has since managed to go viral, and viewers who have become outraged by the Salt Lake City Police Department’s behavior have certainly spoken up. The chief of the SLCPD has since been prompted to comment publically on the matter, a large protest was held outside of police headquarters over the weekend and even the city council has asked for an investigation.

“It’s overwhelming, the support of the community,” Kendall said at the protest on Saturday attended by hundreds, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

Speaking to a local Fox News affiliate, the dog owner said he believes the officer responsible for the shooting should be disciplined justly. That law enforcement official has since been identified as detective Brett Olsen

“I believe this officer made a terrible judgment call,” Kendall told the station. “In my profession, if I make a terrible judgment I’m fired. “

“He was kind of all I had,” Kendall told Fox13 of his dog. “To me, he wasn’t just some animal. He was my best friend. He was kind of like a child. I went through raising him, training him.”

At a news conference on Friday, Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank said he believes the officer was in the right.

"It is our responsibility that we do all we can to bring a safe resolution to the circumstances we encounter. This is a seasoned officer who has tremendous experience and has, in fact, been under fire and performed very well," Burbank said of Olsen. "I cannot in my mind imagine an officer coming forward and saying we didn't do all we could to find a missing child."

“In this particular circumstance, evidence shows that the dog was extremely close, in fact, within feet of the officer,” Burbank said. “After 23 years in law enforcement, I haven’t seen this type of public outcry when certain human beings have lost their lives,” Burbank said.

That outcry, Burbank added, has materialized in the form of complaints that he says the police department has received without end since last week.

“I absolutely demand that every single one of my officers treat the public with the respect and dignity they deserve. My officer, and officers, deserve no less,” Chief Burbank said.

Members of SLC’s city council have since written to Chief Burbank calling for a review of departmental procedures and an independent review of the shooting.

On facebook: Justice for Geist
https://www.facebook.com/JusticeforGeist














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