Dog Shot by Cop Reporting to Wrong Address

On April 14, an Austin, Texas policeman was attempting to tend to a call regarding domestic abuse. What happened before he arrived is a horrific story to any animal lover.

He reported to the wrong address, where Michael Paxton was in his driveway getting something from his truck. When Paxton was ordered to raise his hands and keep still, his Cattle Dog, Cisco, started barking at Officer Thomas Griffin from the Austin Police Department. Griffin pointed the gun away from Paxton and moved it towards Cisco, while Paxton repeatedly told the officer that his dog was friendly and wouldn’t hurt him. Griffin aimed, shot and killed Cisco regardless, and Paxton witnessed the scene in anguish and shock.

While Officer Griffin continued to be kept on duty by the Austin Police Department, Paxton immediately started a Facebook page, “Justice for Cisco.” Barely giving himself time to mourn, he is driven by his desire to see that Officer Griffin be held accountable for his actions and other police officers in the department are trained in animal education, ensuring that no animals in the future suffer from needlessly being shot by the police.

I’ve written about a senior arthritic Labrador who was shot and killed by police in Oakland, CA. The officer didn’t understand canine body language and translated protective barking into what he assumed was threatening. As a result, the East Bay SPCA entered into a partnership with the Oakland Police Department and now provides free mandatory animal sensitivity training to the entire staff of 679 officers.

Personally, I think every police officer should be required to take animal sensitivity training classes before being given a gun. What humans interpret as threatening may simply be normal dog behavior. My very friendly Labradors, Sanchez and Gina, would bark profusely at someone entering their yard, I’m sure. And the barking would only be intensified if I was being held at gunpoint and they felt my fear. But, it doesn’t mean they are exhibiting aggressive behavior.

What do you think? Should Officer Griffin be held accountable for his actions? How can other peace officers learn from his mistake? Thanks for sharing your opinions in a comment below.

Have you seen the new Adoptable Pets page on Care2? Check it out here! Please also share with your friends. We’d love your help in finding homes for these adorable animals!

Have you tried Sound Therapy for your dogs? Through a Dog’s Ear is the first music clinically demonstrated to calm the canine nervous system.

Receive a FREE DOWNLOAD from the Through a Dog’s Ear

Calm your Canine Companion Music Series

Simply click here, enter your email address and a link to the free download will be delivered to your inbox for you and your canine household to enjoy!

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Margaret K.

6:23PM PDT on Oct 2, 2012

What did the dog actually do? Barking alone should not have been an excuse to shoot it. If it had lunged and the officer showing it teeth, snapping and growling, I could understand it - but barking? All dogs bark!!! What a shame for the dog. Even worse for the owner who has to live with the memory, and being unable to save it. If the police officer is questioned - he can easily say the dog went for him - it would be his word against the owners - unless there was another witness.

October 2
send a green star

Cindy D.

10:20PM PDT on May 20, 2012

"The time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look on the murder of men." Leonardo da Vinci

Play Del rey

May 20
send a green star

Diane L.

11:54PM PDT on May 15, 2012

Sorry for the "typo"...........I was so pissed, I said "bit clue" and meant BIG clue! Got to love it when somebody joins this site a week ago and goes OFF trying to control who can say what in here, ridicules another member and calls them names and tells them not to comment because they've found fault with what was said (has the AUDACITY to disagree or find a remark a bit uncalled for). Oooooh, MY!

May 15
send a green star

11:50PM PDT on May 15, 2012

BIT CLUE, Valentina, this IS an open site, and I'm as much allowed to post my comments as you. I'm far from closed-minded. BTW, I don't sign many petitions,either. You are really pushing the boundaries of civility here. I don't INSIST on replying to everyone I disagree with, but it IS my right to do so. That's what Care.2 discussions are all about. Care.2 even states in their CODE OF CONDUCT, which I highly advise you to read, that disagreeing is encouraged, but also to do so respectfully and with civility. I've done just that. You can't say the same. You've been rude, hostile and arrogant. You seem to think that because I found fault with you stating that you'd KILL the cop yourself and then when questioned about that,said you found no problem with it, that because I think you're too extreme, I'm closed-minded and shouldn't question you? Why do you think you have that right and I don't? Who died and made you QUEEN? That's a bit snarky, but you know what, I won't be talked to in the tone you've taken. NOBODY "molested" you, but your nastiness WILL be flagged as inappropriate if it continues.

Heather O.

9:46AM PDT on May 15, 2012

Valentina if you do not see a problem with an innocent life being needlessly taken then what are you doing on this site. Its people like you and cops like this that hurts our animals and teaches our children to do unethical things. I'm not the type to say sue anyone but I would get a lawyer and sue for this. No excuse for this happening.

Elaine A.

9:00AM PDT on May 15, 2012

Cop needs to be shot for showing up to work!

Valentina R.

6:49AM PDT on May 15, 2012

Yeah, you're so logical and cool, mighty Diane L. Insisting to reply to everyone who disagrees with your close-minded point of view is a truly mature thing to do.
In case it never occurred to you, this is a public site, and everyone is free to say their opinion without being molested by your laughable comments. No one wants an unasked reply from you. Go sign more petitions instead of wasting your time like this.

Borg D.

9:58AM PDT on May 13, 2012

Negligent, trigger happy cop. I hope he gets sacked & jailed

May 13
send a green star

Carrie-Anne B.

2:26AM PDT on May 7, 2012

very sad news :( joined the group on facebook, thanks for sharing

May 7
send a green star

10:46PM PDT on May 6, 2012

Well, Valentina, most logical people would. Care.2 is about caring, yes, but most of us also care about people. Killing anyone, animal or human is rarely justified, and while this cop needs to be fired and possibly charged with animal cruelty, false arrest and while we're at it, harrassment and whatever else can be thrown in, KILLING him? This isn't Dodge City, and in case it never occurred to you, this is a public site. Do you know who may read your comment and take you seriously? You might not want to answer your door next time somebody knocks.