Your call-what would you have done?

[BlackSheep]

A homeless Texan named Joe often preached about the Lord and hung out in Dupont Circle with his white dog, Precious. People say she was harmless. The same for Joe.

But a U.S. Park Police officer shot and killed Precious yesterday after the unleashed, 6-year-old pit bull charged him shortly before 6 p.m. about 35 feet from the circle's fountain, police said. Witnesses said the park was filled with people.

"When I . . . saw it, I was shocked," said Carolyn Stromberg, 27, who was sitting by the fountain with her brother. "I started crying. We hadn't heard any dogs attacking."

She said the dog's owner ran toward the animal, asking: "Why did you shoot my dog? He was just chasing squirrels."

Stromberg said she didn't witness the events leading up to the shooting but insisted that when she saw the officer aim his gun, the dog was not moving.

Park Police Lt. Art Jacobsen said an officer patrolling the area had told the owner to put the dog on a leash, as is required by law. The dog then "aggressively ran toward the officer," who fired a shot, Jacobsen said.

Later, the dog's owner, who declined to give his last name, lay in front of the dog's body, which was covered with a blue blanket, until the Humane Society took the dog away.

"She's gone now, she's dead, she's dead,'' Joe said, sobbing. He refrained from blaming police, saying, "It's got to be a misunderstanding."

 

[rack'm]

Canine profiling........

Pixie, ya gonna take this??

 

[Unbelievable]

A homeless Texan named Joe often preached about the Lord and hung out in Dupont Circle with his white dog, Precious. People say she was harmless. The same for Joe.

But a U.S. Park Police officer shot and killed Precious yesterday after the unleashed, 6-year-old pit bull charged him shortly before 6 p.m. about 35 feet from the circle's fountain, police said. Witnesses said the park was filled with people.

"When I . . . saw it, I was shocked," said Carolyn Stromberg, 27, who was sitting by the fountain with her brother. "I started crying. We hadn't heard any dogs attacking."

She said the dog's owner ran toward the animal, asking: "Why did you shoot my dog? He was just chasing squirrels."

Stromberg said she didn't witness the events leading up to the shooting but insisted that when she saw the officer aim his gun, the dog was not moving.

Park Police Lt. Art Jacobsen said an officer patrolling the area had told the owner to put the dog on a leash, as is required by law. The dog then "aggressively ran toward the officer," who fired a shot, Jacobsen said.

Later, the dog's owner, who declined to give his last name, lay in front of the dog's body, which was covered with a blue blanket, until the Humane Society took the dog away.

"She's gone now, she's dead, she's dead,'' Joe said, sobbing. He refrained from blaming police, saying, "It's got to be a misunderstanding."

My first thought was, what a horrible, horrible person the Park Police officer must be! Precious may have been the only thing in the world Joe had and loved. My heart goes out to him. My first emotion was hatred for the Park Police officer and a total sense of helplessness. What a sad, sad story.

 

[aps45819]

Sounds like major overreaction on the cop's part. I'm amazed a DC cop actually hit something he was aiming at.

 

[RoseRed]

Where is Jameo?

 

[mAlice]

Anyone who owns a breed with a reputation, whether it is harmless or not, should do everything in their power to prevent misunderstandings that could result in the death of their pet. It's a sad story, but could have been prevented if the dog had been on a leash.

 

[Nanny Pam]

Anyone who owns a breed with a reputation, whether it is harmless or not, should do everything in their power to prevent misunderstandings that could result in the death of their pet. It's a sad story, but could have been prevented if the dog had been on a leash.

It's sad.

 

[Jameo]

Where is Jameo?

If that was my dog that that stupid SOB shot and killed... oh man....I'd be in jail right now!!

 

[aps45819]

If that was my dog that that stupid SOB shot and killed... oh man....I'd be in jail right now!!

If you were walking around Doupont Circle with your dog, he'd have been on a leash.






.... and you'd probably be gay

 

[vraiblonde]

I don't believe for one second that the dog was perfectly fine and the cop shot it for no reason. I'll bet you $10 that this story appeared in the Post, because their "reporters" are notorious for championing criminals and the homeless and deriding cops.

 

[Larry Gude]

He didn't...

Sounds like major overreaction on the cop's part. I'm amazed a DC cop actually hit something he was aiming at.

...he was aiming at Joe. DC don't mess around with leash law violators.

 

[desertrat]

I kinda doubt he'd have shot the dog for no reason. They have a lot of crap to deal with after firing their weapons.

 

[huntr1]

I kinda doubt he'd have shot the dog for no reason. They have a lot of crap to deal with after firing their weapons.

Good Shooting Mr Police Officer. People need to follow the darn laws. Guy had been warned.

 

[forever jewel]

Although I understand that pit bulls have a reputation, I have a feeling that the cop was scared of the dog before it even layed eyes on him....but can't say either way.

RIP puppy dog

 

[itsbob]

My first thought was, what a horrible, horrible person the Park Police officer must be! Precious may have been the only thing in the world Joe had and loved. My heart goes out to him. My first emotion was hatred for the Park Police officer and a total sense of helplessness. What a sad, sad story.

Bull.. Granted none of us know the story as none of us were there. I don't care what you tell me about your dog, "he's harmless" "He won't hurt a flea" etc etc.. Well, guess what, the cop doesn't know your dog. If a dog comes running at you how are you to know if he's playing or attacking? Oh, I know, lets wait for him to bite and latch on, then while you are defenseless try to do something about it.

A $2 leash and none of this would have happened. Put the blame where the blame belongs, on the owner!!

 

[garyt27]

Good Shooting Mr Police Officer. People need to follow the darn laws. Guy had been warned.[/QUOTE How about the people that says "He won't bite you" He doesn't bite. I say if he has teeth, then he bites. I like dogs, when they belong to me. Why dog owners think everyone should love their dog is beyond me. Follow the Laws!!