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Colorado Police Officer Kills Family Dog While Chasing Suspect - National Dogs | Examiner.Com


Animals  (tags: police dog shooting, co, animalcruelty, animalrights, animalwelfare, dogs, killed, law, humans, investigation, pets, sadness, death, crime, society, suffering )

Dianne Ly
- 265 days ago - examiner.com
A Thornton, Colo. family is grieving the untimely and violent demise of their dog, "Scar," who was shot and killed on Sunday.



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Comments

Dianne Lynn Elko (610)
Wednesday August 29, 2012, 6:58 pm
another one!!
 

Ellen G. (230)
Wednesday August 29, 2012, 7:37 pm
This is getting ridiculous
 

Dianne Lynn Elko (610)
Wednesday August 29, 2012, 7:41 pm
Agreed Ellen,we have so many animal abusers out there that we are trying to stop,and now we have the police-who are to "protect and serve" killing our innocent animals.
 

Milkah Savage (292)
Wednesday August 29, 2012, 8:05 pm
Im so damn mad right now !! The angel was tstanding in his yard and this poor escuse for a police officer shot him in the face. In the freakin face!! And to top it of lied and said that SScar had growled at him. Freakin Liar!!!! My heart goes out to the family of Scar.
Thanks Dianne
 

Carrie B. (229)
Wednesday August 29, 2012, 8:56 pm
This happens way too often.
 

Marie W. (49)
Wednesday August 29, 2012, 8:57 pm
How many times have this headline played--- way too many! Need to stop now!
 

Constance F. (260)
Wednesday August 29, 2012, 9:29 pm
Horrible ! This is frightening to everyone who has dogs ! He shot this defenseless dog because he could. That simple. Because he could ! And now you have eyewitness accounts, and it's higly improbable that the dog and family will receive justice. This is not going to end anytime soon until legislation is created and large organizations get invoved. I would like to see ASPCA or HSUS or someone ! address this issue with police departments, and have animal welfare and control teach officers how to use non-lethal methods, and provide them with the equipement. Legislation should be created that police officers are trained as part of their job and CAN NOT use lethal control else they will be suspended or fired. Right now - this is a crapshoot and any dog is in danger of being shot if a monster police officer happens to arrive on the scene !
 

Elle B. (68)
Wednesday August 29, 2012, 10:44 pm
"What" on God's not as green earth would shoot a by standing dog in its own yard? Agree with all of you. . 2 many times-- way beyond the pale. These officers should not be policemen.

Not buying this story either. i know i've told these before--it is because each time i can't help but remember like it happened yesterday. So here it goes again. . .

Story #1: Eight years old--riding bike very fast--wheels making lots of "whirrring" noise. Half wolf--half sheperd charges and jumps his fence coming right at me. Stopped on a dime--ducked just in time looked right at him and stayed very still. He was so surprised he just looked around and wandered into the stand of trees close by. I hollered to the owner that the dog just jumped the fence and walked my bike the rest of the block.

Story #2: 16 yo. - staying with relatives for summer in very rural farmland. Riding bike even faster now--clipping along downhill at about 30 mph--those wheels were really "whirrring." Hunting dog usually tied up--comes tearing across the front acre of farm. Get to a complete stop as he is already fiercely trying to bite my face and my neck at the jugular. I throw up my right arm hard and fast to get him off. He bites my hip and then he trys anywhere he can--so i keep throwing up my arm. He goes for the stomach, i push him away again. He finally gets a deep grip into my right thigh [had very thick jacket on for chilly evening but jeans were easier to get through.] My dad had taught me to not let fear take over because you put out a scent that alarms them more. He also taught me not pull against a bite if possible to minimize rips and tears. So i hopped over my bike on one leg as he pulled on the other--hollering as loud as i could for the owner who did appear and run like the dickens to get his dog! I was taken to the hospital--the leg was bite up pretty bad and had the other bites. They were going to put him down so i spoke to the Sheriff from the hospital and asked him not to because he should not have been loose and i thought it was the bike wheels that set him off. Sheriff ordered dog out of county--new home was found WAY OUT from population--dog was well taken care of and never bit again. POINT: If an 8 then 16yo someone [not acting as a part of their usual work] can find a way to avert one potential attack and minimize an actual serious one...then i think "trained" officers with guns and other protections--in the line of duty--just "might" be able to manage the same!! There are times when it is necessary to make the choice to stop one animal from hurting another animal or person with what could become deadly force. But in my life it's never happened and i believe it is very rare. People just do it anyway as a first resort. i think they've all been watching way too much TV, movies and video games! How would they like it--if they were standing somewhere and someone just came along out of nowhere and shot them for no good reason! It's really very simple and like everyone here i'm just SICK and TIRED of it all! I would really like to tell my stories to these officers! Also, as an adult i encountered a mother raccoon with babies who i startled because i didn't see them in time. She came at me very fast with teeth bared. So i jumped into my car like a jack rabbit--looked her in the eye and left. Came across their paths again many times [they lived close by] -- i always kept an eye out and never startled her and she never came at me again. You know down deep i hope and pray everyday that the unwise,the lost and trully depraved will heal and find their way. But this type of unnecessary wantonness just gets really really old.

PS. There have been a couple of stories recently about officers who calmed and rescued attacking dogs--it seems like they could provide some training to the rest.

 

Leslene Dunn (38)
Wednesday August 29, 2012, 11:45 pm
Noted - I swear to God, that if it was my dog, there is no hope in hell that this monster would have walked off my property alive. They are so quick to shoot, what a pity the gun didn't backfire.
 

Danuta Watola (956)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 1:07 am
noted
 

John S. (232)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 3:51 am
Noted.
 

Ginger Geronimo (417)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 6:01 am
It's like police officer's from all around have gotten together & suddenly decided that it's a wonderful idea to start shooting people's dogs. What, are they having some sort of contest to see which department can shoot the most of them? I wonder what the prize is? Let's not forgot about all the K9's "accidently" locked in the cars also! What's going on here?
 

Nicole W. (284)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 8:21 am
:-(
 

Sandi C. (154)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 12:45 pm
Too much of this going on lately!
 

Florence Eaise (127)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 2:19 pm
How many dogs have to die before something is done about the lack of safety these officers are practicing this coud easily have been a child thanks Diann noted
 

Sarah G. (101)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 6:53 pm
What a horrible excuse for a human being! These incidents happen constantly. These "officers" abuse their power and plainly love to kill.
 

Cheryle Nowlin (4)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 7:13 pm
Noted. Reminds me why I live in the middle of nowhere at the end of the road.
 

Ingrid A. (498)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 8:06 pm
How very sad. Its noted.
 

A C. (0)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 8:54 pm
This has got to stop! Police can't keep shooting innocent pet dogs. They need official training on how to handle animals in a non-lethal way!
 

Past Member (0)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 8:55 pm
While this a truly sad story, many of you people are too quick to judge without knowing all the facts.
You weren't there, you didn't see what happened. Who is this witness and why should we take their word over the police officers? You people that are too quick with your condemnation are the real "horrible excuse for a human being". What about being grateful that no people were injured or killed.
 

Dianne Lynn Elko (610)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 9:30 pm
Well you were not there either Mark.
 

Dianne Lynn Elko (610)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 9:33 pm
THORNTON, Colo. — A Thornton police officer shoots and kills a family’s dog he claims threatened him Sunday.

But the dog’s family and neighbors dispute that.

They say the American bulldog-mix never even left their front yard.

Police were in the neighborhood chasing after a man wanted on a misdemeanor drug charge.

The man, Phillip Armstrong-Bowen, was already under arrest when the officer shot the animal.

“He was on my screen saver,” says Vivian Girone, of 8-year-old Scar.

Girone like any proud grandma shows off photos of the dog–in the car, snuggling with dad and out-cold on the couch.

“He was almost human,” says Girone.

But her last memory of him brings her to tears.

“He was bleeding profusely. And he fell in. I dragged him in. I covered his head and I loved on him. He was so hurt,” says Girone.

A Thornton police officer shot scar once in the face.

The department says in a news release: “….a large pit bull started to run toward the officers from a nearby residence. The dog charged one of the officers and began to leap at one of the officers. To protect himself from the attack as the dog’s mouth was open while charging, the officer fired one round and struck the animal.”

“He wasn’t running, he wasn’t growling, he wasn’t barking. He was not lunging,” says a witness who saw the shooting.

But neighbors and family say the dog didn’t threaten anyone–didn’t even leave the front yard.

“He just saw that dog, didn’t even look twice, went boom,” says the witness who didn’t want to be identified.

“I had him since he was a puppy. I raised him. He was the most lovable dog you could ever imagine. He learned to play football. He made touchdowns. He just wouldn’t return the ball back,” says John Lara, the dog’s owner.

“I don’t know what we’re going to do without him. He was just one of us, you know,” says Girone.

But still they wonder why their buddy had to die on his home turf by a man they say is supposed to protect and serve.

“I really want justice just for him. He had no fault in that at all. None,” says Girone.

The family rushed Scar to the veterinarian and paid $1,000 to save his life. But he died anyway.

They say they would have been more understanding of the situation, if the officer had even apologized.
 

Dianne Lynn Elko (610)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 9:36 pm
And Mark I am glad that no human was killed during this very sad incident,as are everyone who commented here.I just think that the situation could have been handled a little better than resorting to shooting a dog.
 

Dianne Lynn Elko (610)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 9:37 pm
Also Mark please feel free to search and post anything else you may have on this case.
 

Dianne Lynn Elko (610)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 9:47 pm
And why the hell no apology from the police????
 

Carrie B. (229)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 9:53 pm
Mark has been making the rounds this evening telling all of us people how wrong we are about almost everything. Says he has been a member since 1999 and care2 has really gone downhill. The way he says "you people" makes me think of Ann Romney. He's very unhappy with many of on care2, so maybe he should take a time out for a while and regain his composure and perspective about free speech and free thought.
 

Milkah Savage (292)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 9:59 pm
Mark B. Says:"You people that are too quick with your condemnation are the real "horrible excuse for a human being" Too funny !! And this comes from a man that sits behind a computer screen and insults people . In case you forgot..We are ALL adults here and having a difference in opinions is a good thing.
I stand behind what I said" The police could have handled this differently". Oh and my Uncle lives in Thorton CO nad his son, my nephew, works for the Police Department and also agrees this was a rush to judgement. So Please ..there is NO need for rudeness or name calling..we are ALL adults and should act like it.
 

Marie W. (49)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 10:05 pm
@Mark B. Condemnation needed. This type of action is now an epidemic. Google "police officer kills family dog" or go to http://dogmurders.wordpress.com/
We had better all be upset now or find police shooting out pets or family soon!
 

Tommy D. (29)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 10:13 pm
What a piece of sh*t pig! Any excuse he can use to justify his obvious screwup!!
 

Dianne Lynn Elko (610)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 10:24 pm
PETITION DONE,MAYBE WE WILL FIND OUT THE TRUTH NOW
PETITION TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH BEHIND THE SHOOTING OF SACR
 

Dianne Lynn Elko (610)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 10:26 pm
PETITION TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH BEHIND THE SHOOTING OF SCAR
 

Dianne Lynn Elko (610)
Thursday August 30, 2012, 10:30 pm
my new article with the petition,thank you much my dear friends :)))))

http://www.care2.com/news/member/281283763/3443489
 

Ajla C. (90)
Friday August 31, 2012, 1:31 am
Ovo se stalno ponavlja,da se čovjek zapita mnogo toga.
 

Frans Badenhorst (307)
Friday August 31, 2012, 1:33 am
shame...
 

daniela laudati (1)
Friday August 31, 2012, 4:50 am
E dovrebbero mantenere l'ordine e la pace ! sì, quella eterna.
 

Michele Wilkinson (106)
Friday August 31, 2012, 8:36 am
WHY are we hearing about such shootings more and more and MORE????
 

Allan Yorkowitz (186)
Friday August 31, 2012, 9:01 am
Even if the family pursues this, what are the chances they will win over a corrupt police dept?
 

Constance F. (260)
Friday August 31, 2012, 10:43 am
Petition signed, thank you Dianne!
Although it's hard for me to take seriously anyone with a double cheeseburger avatar, I'll try. No, that's what I want to say. I don't beleive you give a crap really about this case Mark. I think you came here quick to judge and find an opportunity to say : "You people that are too quick with your condemnation are the real "horrible excuse for a human being". My ! "horrible excuse for a human being !" And that's what you really came here to say ! I don't think you are that naive about the abuse of power and multitude of dog-shooting cases by officers who are trigger happy. Trigger happy toward people too Mark ! The bottom line Mark - no dog should ever be shot by a police officer when animal control deals with much more extreme cases and never needs to result in lethal control. Infact, why I know you are not at all serious is it's doubtful you will come back here to acknowledge or engage in any discussion. You came just to puke.
 

Mandi Rose (201)
Friday August 31, 2012, 11:04 am
Sick. Noted
 

Constance F. (260)
Friday August 31, 2012, 11:45 am
Bingo ! While in Buddhism, the views on vegetarianism vary from school to school, all would agree the path of the Bodhisattva is to cultivate compassion for all living beings. Mark states he is a Buddhist. He also states he likes to hunt and fish and eat his kill. How do you have compassion for other species when you kill them ? Do you think they don't enjoy their lives like you do? How do you know you didn't kill a mother, leaviing an orpaned baby behind ? You eat corpses of once living beings. Can't take this person seriously at all !
 

Darla Taylor (63)
Friday August 31, 2012, 12:34 pm
Noted. Thanks, Dianne. Besides your petition which I signed there's another one on the petition site that everyone should look for and sign. Sounds like this police officer was in the wrong and is just trying to cover his tracks especially since he didn't even get the breed correct.
 

Florence Eaise (127)
Friday August 31, 2012, 2:28 pm
@Mark You said " You people that are too quick with your condemnation are the real "horrible excuse for a human being" Sounds to me like YOUR the one thats so quick to pass out YOUR CONDEMNATION about others and the way they feel about the story or perhaps you didnt even read it! Which ever the cae @ Mark it is YOU who is the "horrible excuse for a human being" and that incompetant cop who KILLED the damn dog i DONT get you losers who come on to threads just to b*tch moan and whine about what YOU hate WHY COME TO THE THREAD IN THE FIRST PLACE? I know MOST of the good people on this thread and i can ASSURE you that they are ALL good loving giving generous charitable people especially Dianne who posted this story i sugest that you stick to the posts that you DO like and steer clear of the ones you dont people put ALOT of time into finding and posting things and Dianne puts in MORE time than anyone else i know! SO BACK OFF @ MARK NOW!!!!!!!!!
 

Nimue Pendragon (59)
Friday August 31, 2012, 8:29 pm
What the hell is wrong with all these american coppers who shoot people's pets? It happens every other day. It's not right and something should be done about it.
 

iveta cer (98)
Friday August 31, 2012, 11:21 pm
Sad story , poor dog !!! And i fell very sorry for family too !!
 

Maria S. (59)
Saturday September 1, 2012, 7:10 am
Noted. I thought that the police is suppose to protect. This is really getting rediculous.
Thanks for posting Dianne.
 

Intan Surya Dawood (3)
Saturday September 1, 2012, 10:43 pm
Petition signed!
 

naomi cohen (111)
Tuesday September 4, 2012, 12:11 pm
incompetent bastards shooting people's babies. it is truly sickening, and must be addressed now. noted, signed. thank you, dianne.
 

Barbara Erdman (63)
Thursday November 1, 2012, 3:00 pm
Noted and Thank-You for posting Dianne :0
 
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