Puppycide strikes ...

.
... again:

... the deputy told him he was investigating a burglary in the next-door-neighbors backyard when their dog attacked him.

"He stated that he was left with no other option than to shoot the dog once the dog had locked onto his foot and to his hand. He also stated he tried to get away that he tried to jump over the fence and the dog didn't let go even after being shot once," Moutran said.

Moutran says the deputy told him that he had no other choice.

"The dog became more vicious and chased him as he tried to jump over the fence bit him again would not let go of his foot and at that time he had no other option but to shoot him two more times," Moutran said.

Moutran is a retired LEO, so we know where his allegiances lie.

So here we have a deputy sheriff investigating a burglary (alleged or fact?), and in the process behaves as a burglar would by entering the dog owners' property (in much the same manner as a burglar would) and is shocked, SHOCKED that a pit bull thinks he's a burglar and acts just as one would expect a pit bull to act when faced with an armed burglar (because we can't expect a dog to know the difference between a bad guy and a good guy acting like a bad guy). And God forbid one might expect a pit bull to become "more vicious and chase" somebody as they try to jump back over a fence (like a burglar who's been caught might do) after the dog has been shot once already.

And Moutran notes that the dog has never gotten out of the fenced property nor caused any problems. Seems like the deputy played a stupid game and won a stupid prize; but the dog paid the price.

Thankfully, there's hope on the horizon:

On Monday November 14, 2011, deputies responded to a call of a dog running loose in the area of 1832 Royal Oak Place East in Dunedin . The dog was reportedly emaciated, did not have a collar or tag and would not allow deputies to approach.

Corporal Paul Rogers arrived on scene and was able to use his agency issued catch pole to restrain the animal.Custody of the dog was turned over to Pinellas County Animal Control Services.

Corporal Rogers is among the first deputies to complete the Sheriff’s Office first ‘Animal EncountersTraining’ for law enforcement. The first class was held on Thursday, November 10, 2011.

Wow ... 4 days after attending a class on how to restrain animals without shooting them full of holes, a deputy restrains a dog without shooting it full of holes! (h/t Radley)

It's almost like you fight the way you train. Might I suggest you call the Pinellas Co Sheriff's office to commend Sheriff Gualtieri @ (727) 582-6200?

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