Police officer threatened to kill my dog?????

Question

Today a police came to my house to serve me with court papers,over due credit card(yes I know the whole pay your bills thing but I have been laid off for months and only found a part time job so go figure) anyways he sayed in his car and I went outside to see what he wanted. My 1yr old,very sweet,pitbull ran out the door with me,wagging her tail and wanting to greet him. He said he wasn't getting out ,I said she won't hurt you but understandably he stayed in the car. She stood next to me while we talked,she then jumped on the rear door trying to look in the car(not growling or barking) I knocked her down and said get down and don't scratch his car. He looked at my dog...then me and said...I'll Kill it! It took me to long to get this car(his patrol car). I immediately grabbed my baby and lifted her up and took her inside while he was still talking. I went back out signed the papers and he left. This has upset me so much! I love my dog very much,she loves everyone& this was wrong!!!

Answer 1

It was definitely mean to say, but I don't think he has intentions on actually killing your dog.

If you are worried and want to do something, just call the station and make a complaint.

Mean cops suck.

Answer 2

Well, he can shoot your dog if it makes threatening moves toward him. Jumping up to get a look in his car can be construed as a threatening action. I am not saying it is right, I am saying it is legal. You have no case here, unfortunately. Keep her inside or on a leash with a muzzle.

Edit: It doesn't matter if she growled or not. She obviously is not a well trained dog if she behaves this way - the fact that she is breed that has a negative profile doesn't help either. You need to be a more responsible owner and train your dog - if it is a pit bull or golden retriever - it needs to be trained, it obviously doesn't see you as master - that's a problem.

Answer 3

It was wrong to say.........definitely.  However I don't perceive it as a threat.  I think it was as if any one of us would say "if your dog scratches my car I will kill it."  Again in his position he should be more careful of what he says.  In the future I would not let your dog even come close to jumping on someones vehicle.  That would irritate the heck out of me.

Answer 4

Report him. NOW.

Answer 5

If you got his badge number, call the police department and report the incident to his superior.

Nothing may come of it, but tell someone.   Also keep your dog collared, and leashed when outdoors.

EDIT:

The POPE could have given you the dog for all we care!  The same point still applies: leash and collar are COMMON SENSE AND RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP.

Answer 6

I understand your frustration, but pit bulls have a terrible reputation. I tense up when I see one too. Don't stress. He didn't kill the dog.

Answer 7

I'm sorry you had a mean cop, but walk in there shoes a minute. I would bet that cop has encountered many dogs that the owner said will not bite, but then it did. Even though I absolutely love all dogs, certain breeds make me a little Leary until I know for sure they won't bite. I have been bit before while on my bike(it was a small ankle biter). The owner did nothing but stand there. I was po'd to say the least. My son in law( a telephone worker) has also encountered biting dogs. He also is a dog lover. So the bottom line is you know that people can be scared of pits bulls and you just have to live with that fact. p.s. some people thing my Boston Terrier is a pit bull, go figure.

Answer 8

Of course he did not phrase it in the best way. But the intent is clear.

He did not know you or your dog. You could have become agitated about the papers. Any dog no matter how sweet can turn in a minute and do what they are bred to do or whatever to protect an owner. Pitbulls are famous for it..... one moment nice and that one day happens where the owner goes "I did not know".

The dog was off of the leash so he did not know. He was just protecting himself and trying to say put your dog away. Growling or barking matters not as it is still a dog. Dogs can freak out when the see a police vehicle and a uniform.

I see your point but if you take issue with all of this I bet you will get a visit from animal control. Do your court thing and let this all go.

Answer 9

I think you could have filed charges against him if he actually killed your dog for animal cruelty or for destruction of property or filed a civil suit against him. You would have to prove he wasn't defending himself though or have a witness or it probably wouldn't go anywhere. I think his statement about it being about the car would incriminate him.

Learn your rights. Stand up to bullies. Be prepared to go to court.

Answer 10

No matter how sweet a dog may be, you can't get into its head. A sweet dog can turn into an attack dog in the blink of an eye. You should have put the dog inside then approached the cop. He has every right to state his intentions if he feels threatened.

Answer 11

Don't buy it....be a responsible pet owner...keep your dog restrained...I don't care if it's a Jack Russell or Pit Bull.  If the officer feels threatened in ANY way he has the discretion to stop the threat...the dog.....which can cause serious physical injury or death.

Answer 12

just keep him on a leash because they have gave our dogs a bad rap.

Answer 13

Learn to restrain your pet.  Officers, postal employees, meter readers...all are attacked by dogs daily due to irresponsible owners.  Just because an owner thinks a dog is friendly doesn't mean the dog likes strangers.  An officer has the right to shoot any animal that is threatening their safety.  While your dog may have been just being friendly, it is quite possible that that officer has had several close calls recently and was not taking any chances.

Answer 14

You said the key words:  PIT BULL

Many jurisdictions have made it illegal to own or house a pit bull within their jurisdiction.

Pit bulls have a less-that-desireable reputation, due to the habit of many not-so-bright people to train these dogs for fighting or for so-called "self defense" (glorified attack dogs).

Also, officers and other public servants (postal, meter readers, UPS, etc.) have the right to safety, and if they see a pit bull they are on "high alert" due to the dogs' reputation.  Your assurances that your dog "won't bite" will be ignored. Also, does your town have a leash law?

Answer 15

boom

Answer 16

When I hear some one talk about affording a dog and dog food, but then say they can't pay their credit card bills....

I must conclude it's NO "accident" that they are one of "those people" who talk about how "tough the economy is".

Ever notice how "poor" people always seem to have their priorities screwed up?... a person smoking $5/day packs of cigarettes and they "ain't got no money to put in no IRA" for retirement.  THE GOV'MENT NEEDS TO HELP ME!

Just an observation....

Answer 17

If the dog is a threat to his safety - and, really, look at the attack and kill rate of pitbulls compared to other animals - he has every right to put you on notice that if you're not controlling the animal, he will kill it.

Btw....when an animal does kill isn't it usually said to be the best with the children, sweetest dog, won't hurt a fly - look at the sweet picture with the two year old hugging it? It's nature.