Train Police to Stop Killing Innocent Family Dogs!
- by: Julie S.
- recipient: Ronald L. Davis, Director of the Deparment of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services and State Legislatures
According to the Department of Justice, police officers kill 10,000 companion dogs every year in the United States. Shootings happen during routine calls, and the dogs killed are often exhibiting signs of friendliness rather than aggression. For example:
A 2-year-old rescue dog named Dutchess was murdered by Florida police as she ran outside to greet them. The officers were there to inform the residents that their car door was open. Dutchess’s owner commented, “All she would have done was put some slobber on his shoes.”
A pitbull named Spike greeted officers with a wagging tail in the hallway of an apartment building in the Bronx. Surveillance footage shows Spike behaving sociably when an officer shot him in the head.
Opie, an American bulldog and pitbull mix, was killed at a family member’s birthday party. Opie played lovingly with children of all ages, and was such a gentle dog that he allowed the children to sit on his head. The Oklahoma officer who shot and killed Opie was attempting to serve a warrant at the wrong address.
Tragically, these cases are not isolated instances. The Puppycide Database Project, a non-profit organization that tracks police shootings of animals, displays photos of hundreds of dogs who were killed by police during routine calls.
The actual danger posed by dog bites is almost never serious enough to warrant a lethal response. Dogs are not a more significant threat to police officers than they are to the rest of society. As stated in a Washington Post article, “Postal workers regularly encounter both vicious and gregarious dogs on their daily rounds… letter carriers don’t kill dogs, even though they are bitten by the thousands every year.”
There are numerous ways officers can protect themselves from dogs they perceive to be aggressive. Most importantly, training academies must provide officers increased understanding of dog body language and vocal communication. Clear departmental procedures are required to ensure that officers utilize a scale of options before resorting to violence. If necessary, tools such as fire extinguishers and tasers can be used to prevent attacks.
We must not tolerate such reckless violence against our beloved family pets. There has recently been widespread discussion regarding the need for police training that emphasizes non-violent tactics – and this should apply to police interaction with animals. Every police officer in the United States should be required to interact with dogs safely, and those who use excessive force should face severe consequences. In honor of Dutchess, Spike, Opie, and countless other victims, please sign and share this petition requesting that your state legislators and the Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services Office support government-funded police officer training for safe dog interactions.
Dear Director Ronald L. Davis, Honorable State Legislature Members,
I am deeply concerned regarding the epidemic of innocent dogs killed by police officers. The Department of Justice reports that police officers kill 10,000 companion dogs every year in the United States. Shootings happen during routine calls, and the dogs killed are often exhibiting signs of friendliness rather than aggression. For example:
A 2-year-old rescue dog named Dutchess was murdered by Florida police as she ran outside to greet them. The officers were there to inform the residents that their car door was open. Dutchess’s owner commented, “All she would have done was put some slobber on his shoes.”
A pitbull named Spike greeted officers with a wagging tail in the hallway of an apartment building in the Bronx. Surveillance footage shows Spike behaving sociably when an officer shot him in the head.
Opie, an American bulldog and pitbull mix, was killed at a family member’s birthday party. Opie played lovingly with children of all ages, and was such a gentle dog that he allowed the children to sit on his head. The Oklahoma officer who shot and killed Opie was attempting to serve a warrant at the wrong address.
Tragically, these cases are not isolated instances. The Puppycide Database Project, a non-profit organization that tracks police shootings of animals, shows photos of hundreds of dogs who were killed by police during routine calls.
The actual danger posed by dog bites is almost never serious enough to warrant a lethal response. Dogs are not a more significant threat to police officers than they are to the rest of society. As stated in a Washington Post article, “Postal workers regularly encounter both vicious and gregarious dogs on their daily rounds… letter carriers don’t kill dogs, even though they are bitten by the thousands every year.”
There are numerous ways officers can protect themselves from dogs they perceive to be aggressive. Most importantly, training academies must provide officers increased understanding of dog body language and vocal communication. Clear departmental procedures are required to ensure that officers utilize a scale of options before resorting to violence. If necessary, tools such as fire extinguishers and tasers can be used to prevent attacks.
We must not tolerate such reckless violence against our beloved family pets. There has recently been widespread discussion regarding the need for police training that emphasizes non-violent tactics – and this should apply to police interaction with animals. Every police officer in the United States should be required to interact with dogs safely, those who use excessive force should face severe consequences.
I respectfully request that you initiate, support, and/or increase government-funded police officer training for safe dog interactions.
[Your comments here]
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
You can unsub at any time here.
Having problems signing this? Let us know.