...Or to put it as you did, it's a fucking chihuahua. I'm not going to suspend, fire or indict for murder a cop for shooting a fucking chihuahua.
Good, because nobody needs a excuse. They just need to get another dog.
It's a pretty good indication of what kind of cops they are. And it will come out, sooner or later, in some other situation. It might involve more than a dog. And you might feel different about it if it were your dog.
I've had one of mine for eleven years. I like him a lot better than I do most people. He's not much bigger than a chihuahua. (Though a lot friendlier) If he was running loose and a cop shot him, I'd end up in jail, trust me.
I was about to make this point. It isn't just about the dog, but it is about the type of police officer who feels it is necessary to pump 3 rounds into a 10 lb dog. It is about the ability to make good judgements calls.
Also, as a tax paying citizen ALL government employees, be they police, military, firefighters, etc have a 'duty' to look out for the well being of their citizenry, because the citizens are the boss, NOT the other way around. I consider it extremely disrespectful to say the least.
There are some wonderful police officers who were/are able to 'talk down' people holding guns, knives, swords, behind the wheel of a car, etc. etc. In many of these cases, the police 'would' be more than justified in shooting the person but many times they are able to find another way.
Some of these people just lost their jobs, families, were off their medication, etc. etc. and because a police officer was able to exercise good judgement, lives are saved.
Police have a TREMENDOUS amount of power, and that power needs to be wielded by those who have the right temperment and judgement. Based on this incident, I have to say these officers don't. Granted, I do not have all the facts, but the limited evidence I do have is overwhelming IMHO.
Mel...