Officer Shoots Dog:
As a huge dog lover and having been in the situation of pepper spraying, tasering, and shooting an aggressive dog, This is a prime example of lack of training, basic understanding, investment, respect, honor, advocacy, and protecting! This is NOT the dogs fault!
This was evident within the first two seconds of watching the BWC. This is way too much dog for the handler. This dog should have been leashed with at least a chain choker and probably a prong collar. The owner failed this dog by not getting good and adaptive training (for her and the dog). The handler acknowledged that the dog has been reactive in the past but failed to remove the dog from the environment. The dog presented (communicated) the best it could that it was very uncomfortable and nervous and the owner / handler failed to protect, advocate, and respect the dog.
The dog did what it felt it had to do and the handler / owner was incapable of controlling the dog; it should NOT have come to this. They should have removed the dog and taken it inside. People don’t think about what they are getting into and end up with a dog that is too much dog (personality, drive, muscular build, size, weight, just to name a few). I would never get a Malinois because of the constant stimulation, exercise, and constant need to be tasked with something (its too much dog for me and i would fail the dog– fifteen years ago it may have been a good fit). My shepherd is a great balance and know I can keep up with her needs (she’s actually been much easier then i expected).
People have to really give thought to the type of dog that’s best for their household and then TRAIN! Invest in an experienced dog trainer (you’ll get as much out of it as your dog will). You’ll have a happier, more relaxed, confident, well behaved dog and can hopefully avoid these situations….. but dogs are animals and don’t process like humans. We have to be aware of their communications and remove them from situations that may cause harm, reactivity, or general distress (advocate and protect your dog)
For those asking:
Why not taser the dog? This tool is great for what l like to call the instant “behavior modifier”. This can and has been proven to be effective on humans. However, dogs don’t process pain and discomfort like humans. There’s a 50/50 chance that the taser would have worked and the dog would have ran (flight) or could increase agitation and aggression (fight) making the situation worse.
Why not Pepper spray:
This method is more effective than a taser and comes down to a split second decision based on the totality of the situation and environment. Even with body worn cameras we are still looking at the situation unfold through a key hole perspective and is not always an adequate representation of what the Officer is seeing or experiencing.
Although not ideal, the Officer should be within policy, articulatable, and justified. Unfortunately, this dog was more likely to run off and get hit by a car. Research, Train, and Invest if you’re considering having a forever home for any animal. You owe it to the animal!
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