According to the New York Observer, the dog was a regular fixture in front of the KFC. His owner, a homeless man, spent his days in the same location. Those who knew the pair stated that the dog was never a problem.
But today, the homeless man was passed out and the dog was barking - perhaps barking protectively because of his unconscious guardian.
A witness stated that the police tried to mace the barking dog and in response, the dog lunged.
The officer responded by pulling a gun and shooting the dog.
Unfortunately for the dog, and those with the misfortune of being in the area, the dog did not die quickly. Instead, the grievously wounded dog was writhing in pain on the ground as witnesses allegedly pleaded for the officer to put him out of his misery.
But the dog was not shot again...instead, he was left to die a slow, agonizing death.
Those people familiar with the man and his dog wonder who this officer was. They surmise that he must have been new to the area because the officers who typically patrol this area would know the pair - and know that they were not a danger to the public.
Article courtesy of the Examiner
The Lexus project released a statement updating the public on Star the dog shot by a NYPD officer while she was protecting her owner Lech Stankiewicz.
Stankiewicz suffered an epileptic seizure leaving him immobile and lying partially in an east village street in New York, earlier this week.
Star survived the gun shot and was taken to Animal Care and Control (ACC) of NYC, but the public quickly became concerned about Star’s health and welfare after ACC remained silent about her intake. The public started questioning ACC’s motives for their silence, and Amanda Lewis and Sasha Sabbeth reached out to the Lexus project to help them get answers on the health and welfare of the now famous Star.
Lexus project released this statement about Star earlier today; “We know that so many of you are concerned, worried and outraged about Star. This is an update and although I know you want more but please respect this is all we are permitted to say at this time. Star is very much alive and receiving medical care and holding her own. We will update as soon as we are permitted to. Thank you for your support and understanding.”
The Lexus project was founded in 2009 after a high prey greyhound named Lexus was declared a vicious dog. Lexus sat on death row in a Rhode Island kill shelter waiting to be put down. Robin Mittasch read her story and asked her husband Richard Rosenthal, an attorney to motion for her release.
The Lexus project is now a law firm for dogs. They provide legal defense on a case by case basis for dogs they believe are improperly or unfairly facing dangerous dog designations or euthanasia.
With the Lexus project on Star’s case, the public may get some much needed answers.
(more information here - http://www.examiner.com/article/lexus-project-releases-update-on-star-the-dog-shot-by-nypd
The police forces in every community need and deserve training to avoid issues like this. Say what you may about the federal government and the armed forces: but they provide adequate training and take time off work to do this.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, we will just be going deeper into the "police state" none of us wants.
In reality, let us not blame the officer, who was probably poorly trained. Let us look at why the officers are not receiving training - and YES it will require money and time off duties.
And... trust me, it is easy to hate the cops for bad things like this. Best advice: opt for training to avoid a bad rap from the public.
But, if I am wrong, and he had the training, then let him go to find work elsewhere.
Very good point, Anonymous! As I am not a police officer, I am unaware if police officers receive training in how to deal sensibly and compassionately with such circumstances, but it is possible the officer, in this case, is fearful or hateful of dogs, or this particular breed of dog, and has reacted out of fright and ignorance. Though this officer has reacting callously, there are many police officers who have proven themselves compassionate and reasonable in similar circumstances; in particular, a beautiful recent story of three US police officers who saved and adopted a dog that had been hit in traffic and left to die.This rescued dog now lives happily and safely because of three wonderful human beings who work as police officers.
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