Fatal Shooting of Family Dog by Columbia Heights Police Prompts Concern and Investigation
    by Mike Fry

    On Monday, September 14 an upset owner of a dog arrived at the Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Minnesota. He was there to claim the body of his pet, an American Staffordshire Terrier, which a Columbia Heights police officer had fatally shot the Friday before. In his hands, the dog's owner carried the veterinary records of his family pet, a young female dog that, according to him, was a wonderful companion and guardian to his toddler.

    "She was a good dog," he told people waiting in the lobby at the "D-Lab".

    According to the dog's owner, a situation developed when a neighborhood child was nipped by the dog. Another child had stolen his "sippy cup" and had thrown it into the yard with the dog. When the boy went into the yard to get his cup, the dog nipped him.

    Police were then called.

    When police arrived, the owner was not home and the dog was tethered in the yard (there is no tethering restriction for dogs in Columbia Heights). At that time, neighbors apparently video taped Columbia Heights police officers taunting the dog in a variety of ways, including throwing rocks and pieces of asphalt at her. They were also reported to have video taped the dogs reactions to this taunting. At one point, while the dog was still chained in the yard, the officers were also reported to have shot the dog with a tazer. Then, after restraining the dog with a catch poll, the officers shot the dog.

    In recorded conversations with Columbia Heights Police staff, including Captain Lenny Austin, I learned that many of the key aspects of the story were confirmed by Columbia Heights officials. According to their version of the story, a girl was bit by a chained dog, police responded. The officers caught the dog on a catch poll and then subsequently shot the dog because, according to them, it was behaving aggressively.

    Animal Ark is working to obtain copies of the reported video tape of the officers taunting and tazering the dog, if it exists. Anyone with information about this case or this alleged video tape is urged to call (651) 772-8983 Ext. 11.

    Minnesota animal care experts are expressing concern. Dr. Linda Wolf, is a veterinarian who has a special interest in behavior. She expressed concern that in both versions of the story, the dog had already been confined to a catch poll before it was shot.

    "I do not undersand the raionale for shooting a dog that was first confined to a yard and then restrained on a catch poll," said Dr. Wolf. "There were a number of other options that should have been available that did not include shooting the dog."

    Columbia Heights Police have launched their own internal investigation, which is being conducted by Greg Sinn.

    Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

    Follow-up: A Community Fails and a Dog Dies
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    Comments from readers:
    On 11/24/2009 Carol J said: Officer should receive mental health evaluation to determine whether he should remain on duty

    There appears to have been reason for the officer(s) to have shot this dog especially if the dog was in the owner's yard, the child trespassed onto the property (yes, the child did trepass and where was the child's parents) and (if witness accounts are accurate) the officer(s) taunted the animal into an "agressive" state just to shoot the dog. The owner's dog was restrained on the owner's property. It seems to me the officer might have committed a crime himself in shooting the dog without justification and illegally destroyed the owner's "property". (Unfortunately, pets are considered property.)

    The owner might want to consider suing the City of Columbia Heights and the officers for illegally destroying his property. I know no amount of money will console the family for the loss of a beloved family member but a lawsuit will send a message to the police department there are consequences and not to be so quick to take a life. As part of any settlement, the owner should demand the officer(s) undergo psychiatric evaluation and treatment. If the officers are willing to kill a defenseless dog when they think no one is looking, the community should be very concerned about what these officers might do to another human being. Sounds like they should be taken off the street. It definitely sounds like the officers are extremely immature.

    On 09/23/2009 Mary M said: tears to my eyes

    As the owner of a Staffordshire Terrier this story brought tears to my eyes. My dog is a gentle, loving creature but would even react aggressively if taunted and provoked, as any dog would. This is HORRIBLE! The officers involved in this case should lose their badges.

    On 09/22/2009 Darla said: Disgusting

    I see three problems here, poor parenting, power trips and no education on the personalities of Pitbulls. I owned one and he was the best dog, he was 91lbs and always needed to be rocked to sleep. People really need to educate themselves on these marvelous creatures!!! This story makes me sick!!