Post by WaTcHeR on Dec 31, 2006 12:06:55 GMT -5
12.31.2006 - The Raleigh police officer who shot a family's 11-year-old chocolate Lab on Christmas Day won't face criminal charges, but might still face punishment from his department.
The dog, Truman, and his family were visiting relatives in Raleigh for the holiday when another dog bit one of his owners, Mary Phillips of Charlotte. She went to the hospital for minor injuries.
Hospital officials called 911 about the incident, and Officer R.A. Smith was dispatched to the home where the bite occurred. Smith encountered Truman there and shot him in the head.
The Wake County Magistrates Office found Friday that Smith didn't commit a crime by shooting the dog. An ongoing internal investigation will decide whether he violated department policies on the use of force.
Police department standards are often more strict than legal ones. In a recent case, an officer who shot a man fleeing in her car was found not have to committed a crime, but still was fired.
Clay Phillips, Truman's owner, hopes that Smith will be punished.
"Every decision this guy made was completely wrong," Clay Phillips said. "I think it's a slap in the face to the police department and other officers to not hold him accountable."
Phillips and the family he was visiting had questioned why the officer didn't call before coming to the house. A police department statement Friday said that he did call the number he was given, but it was the number of Mary Phillips at Rex Healthcare.
The news release did not explain why the officer fired the gun. Phillips said the officer told the family that the dog had growled.
Phillips said the dog was tied up to the porch, and rarely barks.
"The cop was clearly rattled and could not make good decisions," Phillips said.
Raleigh police also are considering some policy changes that might prevent another such accident, such as reviewing what contact information 911 dispatchers collect and providing officers more training on how to handle animal calls.
The dog is expected to recover but is paralyzed on one side of his head, and may remain that way. Clay Phillips said only firing the officer who shot him will satisfy his owners.
"We did nothing unlawful and in the end we're paying the price," Phillips said.
www.newsobserver.com/167/story/526806.html
The dog, Truman, and his family were visiting relatives in Raleigh for the holiday when another dog bit one of his owners, Mary Phillips of Charlotte. She went to the hospital for minor injuries.
Hospital officials called 911 about the incident, and Officer R.A. Smith was dispatched to the home where the bite occurred. Smith encountered Truman there and shot him in the head.
The Wake County Magistrates Office found Friday that Smith didn't commit a crime by shooting the dog. An ongoing internal investigation will decide whether he violated department policies on the use of force.
Police department standards are often more strict than legal ones. In a recent case, an officer who shot a man fleeing in her car was found not have to committed a crime, but still was fired.
Clay Phillips, Truman's owner, hopes that Smith will be punished.
"Every decision this guy made was completely wrong," Clay Phillips said. "I think it's a slap in the face to the police department and other officers to not hold him accountable."
Phillips and the family he was visiting had questioned why the officer didn't call before coming to the house. A police department statement Friday said that he did call the number he was given, but it was the number of Mary Phillips at Rex Healthcare.
The news release did not explain why the officer fired the gun. Phillips said the officer told the family that the dog had growled.
Phillips said the dog was tied up to the porch, and rarely barks.
"The cop was clearly rattled and could not make good decisions," Phillips said.
Raleigh police also are considering some policy changes that might prevent another such accident, such as reviewing what contact information 911 dispatchers collect and providing officers more training on how to handle animal calls.
The dog is expected to recover but is paralyzed on one side of his head, and may remain that way. Clay Phillips said only firing the officer who shot him will satisfy his owners.
"We did nothing unlawful and in the end we're paying the price," Phillips said.
www.newsobserver.com/167/story/526806.html