The dog that died during traffic stop in TX?

Question

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5954510.html

What do yall think about this? He's only getting oral reprimand.

Quote from the article...At one point, the patrol car's dashboard camera showed Stephens telling a distraught Gonzales: “It's just a dog. You can buy another one. Relax.”

Answer 1

I heard about this one too...

It is just disgusting how unsympathetic some people are.

I do not think that this man needs to be in Law Enforcement. I agree that he should be made to do some form of community service with animals, and that he should have gotten more than just oral reprimand. But would community service really do him any good? Some people just aren't phased by things like that. Maybe a dock in pay and rank would open his eyes?

He could have given an escort, even if he can't see that to some people, their animals are like family.

It is just really hard to know that there are many more people out there like this officer, who think that "It's just a dog... You can buy another one."

What is wrong with this country? Why do so many think that everything is disposable these days???

Answer 2

that is really awful. i normally have the utmost respect for police officers, but seriously, some of them are on a power trip. if that had been my dog in the car, i'd find a way to make that guy pay dearly. he should have given the guy an escort.

Answer 3

Was this officer trained in animal care? Did he KNOW this animal was already deceased? I think not. He may have assumed so, but unless he felt for a pulse, he didn't KNOW.

The officer's comments to these owners were callous, heartless, and unneccessary. These owners deserve a VERY public apology from both the officer and his department.

Did they deserve to be pulled over? YES, anyone breaking the law should be held accountable. Did they deserve the comments? NO. Should we expect law enforcement officers to assist in emergencies? YES. (And the definition of emergency CAN include the health of our animals.......it's called POLICY)

May I suggest that this officer be reprimanded in another way? 1. A face to face apology to the owners; and 2. Eight hours of service in an emergency vets office - without pay.

My pets are very important to me as you can tell. I'm sure this pet was important to this family.

Answer 4

I think the officer's comments shows that he's not only unsympathetic to animals in need, but also not sympathetic to people in need.  Do we really need folks like this in law enforcement?

Counterpoint - a person under stress, behind the wheel of a car driving at that speed is a danger to everyone else on the road.  The wrong here was the officer's lack of regard for the plight of the dog and sympathy for the owners, not the fact that the officer pulled them over for speeding.

Why couldn't the officer have offered to escort the owners & dog quickly and safely to the animal clinic?  Jerk...

Answer 5

I agree they shouldn't have been going that fast, I don't agree with how the officer handled it. And no verbal reprimand isn't enough.

The officer should have escorted them to the clinic which was only a few miles away and issued the citation there.

Answer 6

That's  awful  when  people  don't  care  about  animals

Answer 7

I think he needs to be reported to the SPCA and made to do community service in the shelter.  I heard about this and could not believe he would say such a thing to someone who's pet is dying.  But then again, it has been reported that after an auto accident, where the person was pulling out of McDonald's, the cops ate her food because she wasn't going to eat it. He got no punishment either. that was in a Dallas Suburb.

Answer 8

He should be fined and not allowed to work in law enforcement ever again.

Law enforcement not only enforces laws for humans but for animals also...that man wasn't doing his job.

If it were my dog I wouldn't have stopped or I would've just taken off after I saw that the officer was taking his time. To me my dog is worth the jailtime.

Answer 9

Personally, had that been me in that situation, they would've had to arrest me after I was at the Vet office.  I'm sorry, you can call me what you will, but my dogs are family members.  They probably don't even know their dogs.  If one of mine is in an emergency state like that, I'm not stopping.  Period.  I won't stop for a human who's got to get the hospital.  A life is more important than a traffic violation.  Arrest me!  It'll be after I get there.  

Answer 10

Personally, I would've told the cop that he could follow me if he wanted, but I wasn't staying there waiting for him to write a stupid ticket.  s***w him, he wouldn't've stopped for me if the tables were turned!