Cop shoots Boxer...so sad.

[neecy911]

There are a lot of factors to consider with what happened. First of all, Zeus may you rest in peace buddy. This is such a terrible thing that happened, and we pray for your mommy and daddy to see you again at the bridge.

Something we all have to remember, is that it appears that there has only been one side to the story so far. (at least that is all I could see) Anyways, I am sure that we have all encountered at one point, that we can't necessarily believe 100% of what we read in the newspapers, a lot of times they will print stories without the correct information, so before chastizing this police officer, we should all keep open minds. If the investigation turns out to prove what he did was excessive, and that Zeus was not aggressive with him, then I would hope for proper discipline, loss of a job to occur with the officer who acted out of line.

As for police officers carrying their weapons off duty, there is no "off duty" in their vocabulary. They are police officers 24/7. I do feel it is a personal preference, if they dont want to carry a firearm off duty, they dont have to. If they want to for their own safety/peace of mind, more power to you. I am married to a 20 year veteran police office, and support him carrying a firearm based on the fact that we live in the same city that he works in. We have been in a few places where some pretty creepy parolees have stared him down in public places, and it provides that extra sense of security when he's with his family, he is our protector.

I do hope we hear about the outcome on this case so we can all feel some type of closure on what happened. My heart goes out to Zeus' family, such a horrific way to see your baby go.

 

[SamsonBear]

WOW! This makes my heart sad :( Poor puppy dog.

 

[threesacrowd]

OK let me first say It is very sad that a dog lost his life. But My husband is a police officer and he trains for marathon's and runs ALOT. And many times has had to confront dogs and even spray loose dogs with pepper spray. And if it came down to it he would shoot a dog. Granted most of the time he can stop a aggresive dog with a loud shout " GO HOME " or spraying in there general direction pepper spray. Even when I walk one of our three boxers I do not leave home without some kind of protection for me and my dogs.

 

[Alex C.]

OMG I went back and re-read the article...then realized the cop I mentioned in my first post...Is this same exact man!
It wasn't a different guy...it was the same guy, shooting another dog a month ago. This is shocking.

Can you post the link to that article?? The officer in question WAS charged for animal cruelty before.

 

[library dog]

Even more to the story - here is part of an editorial from a local newspaper:

"As of Tuesday, apparently Cleveland still hadn’t formally charged the cop, telling his lackey Don Lehman at The Post-Star that he expected that the complaint might be filed in Hague Town Court as early as Thursday.

The whole handling of this matter is a prima facie reason why Larry Cleveland cannot remain sheriff of this county. This off-duty police officer has a history of shooting dogs in northern Warren County, as does his father, a retired cop, and neither one had previously been charged on Cleveland’s watch.

In this particular instance, it appears that Sheehan, 36, intentionally went to the owner’s property on Summit Road in Hague, north of Lake George, wearing a holstered handgun to shoot Zeus, the year old boxer. He claimed that the dog had harassed his girlfriend the day before and he obviously went to the property for a showdown with the dog. It’s inexplicable to us why he felt the need to carry a handgun in Hague, not known to be a high crime area. This is the second time since 2005 that he has shot and killed a dog in northern Warren County. The first time he wasn’t charged.

While the dog’s owner and a child reportedly looked on, he waited for the dog to leave the owner’s property and enter into the roadway before he shot the year old dog in the head, wounding it so badly that it had to be euthanized. But instead of bringing reckless endangerment charges against the cop, Cleveland says he’ll be charged with animal cruelty and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, both misdemeanors. A conviction involving firearms should insure that Mr. Sheehan’s pistol permit be revoked and ensure that he find a new job outside of law enforcement.

There should be no plea bargains allowed in this situation. According to Cleveland, Sheehan claims he shot the puppy in self defense. In our view, that’s pure baloney. He’s admitted that he was “irritated” because the dog had harassed his girlfriend the day previous and it’s pretty obvious he went there to get even with the dog which he did with deadly force instead of simply calling the dog control officer and filing a complaint or attempting to contact the dog’s owner. That kind of demeanor and judgment is dangerous in a police officer.

This whole situation is exacerbated by the fact that this is the third time since 2001 that he or his father, a retired police officer, have shot a dog in the residential area of Route 8 in Hague in northern Warren County, at all times during the reign of Larry Cleveland as county sheriff."

The entire editaorial is at http://www.northcountrygazette.org/news/2007/06/12/timing_everything/

Try a google search on "Suffolk Police Officer John Sheehan" & you will find more information on this incident.

 

[DiverDiva]

OK let me first say It is very sad that a dog lost his life. But My husband is a police officer and he trains for marathon's and runs ALOT. And many times has had to confront dogs and even spray loose dogs with pepper spray. And if it came down to it he would shoot a dog.

I also train for marathons A LOT and run A LOT and have never needed to discharge pepper spray at a dog. I don't know even one marathon runner that would carry a loaded gun on a run.
Godspeed, handsome Zeus.

 

[StormiesMom]

That is just so sad. Why was he jogging with his gun off-duty?

This story breaks my heart, and it is quite obvious that this particular person is cruel and hates animals. This guy doesn't know a loving dog from a friendly dog and most likely doesn'te care. However, the thing about carrying a gun off duty is not that big of a deal (it says it wasn't his police firearm but a personal one).

My husband is a police officer and he would like ME to carry a gun when I walk the dog. I don't "yet" because I don't have a concealed license at this time, but it's just for safety reasons - this is a crazy world, and we hear everyday about "things" happening. It's ok to be prepared to defend yourself.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[threesacrowd]

I also train for marathons A LOT and run A LOT and have never needed to discharge pepper spray at a dog. I don't know even one marathon runner that would carry a loaded gun on a run.
Godspeed, handsome Zeus.

If you will reread my post you will see that I did not say my husband has his gun on him when he runs. He does carry spray. And If you are lucky enough never to need to protect yourself out running great for you. But we live a very small town with alot of loose mean dogs. I cant even walk on our town public square after hours because one owner leaves his pit bull in there and does not bother to lock the door. So when I walk past this shop the dog charges the door and it opens outwards. And personal scares me to death. So if I must walk past this Store I always have pepper spray in hand.

 

[BXRBESTFRIND]

If you will reread my post you will see that I did not say my husband has his gun on him when he runs. He does carry spray. And If you are lucky enough never to need to protect yourself out running great for you. But we live a very small town with alot of loose mean dogs. I cant even walk on our town public square after hours because one owner leaves his pit bull in there and does not bother to lock the door. So when I walk past this shop the dog charges the door and it opens outwards. And personal scares me to death. So if I must walk past this Store I always have pepper spray in hand.

Sounds like you need better Animal Control Officers!

I find it very sad that so many of us have real safety concerns within our own communities that make us feel that we need to carry loaded firearms for self defense.

 

[KathrynKnapp]

I HATE stories like this. Obviously everyone on this site is an animal-lover and I just can't stomach some of these stories I hear!

On the way to work this morning, they were talking about that Atlanta football player and his dog fighting ring (I probably have to say ALLEGED here) and about what those poor dogs (pit bulls) went through and I couldn't take it. I literally almost got sick and was definately tearing up.

The people in the car next to me thought I was crazy I'm sure but all I wanted to do was turn around, drive home, and give Darlin hugs.

What's wrong with the world today?!?!?!?

:mad: