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http://www.wnem.com/story/19503465/family-wants-answers-after-officer-guns-down-family-pet
Walmsley says she was outside playing with
her own dog when her neighbor's golden retriever, Scout, ran over into
her yard. She says she called the dog over to play, which Scout did, and
then Scout ran back over back into his own yard. That's when Walmsley
says a police officer showed up.
Walmsley said the officer asked if the was
dog hers. She said "no," but told the officer Scout wasn't dangerous.
She says the officer tried to catch the dog, who apparently didn't want
to be caught. The dog tried to run away and when cornered by the
officer, let out a little growl. Walmsley says she couldn't believe what
happened next.
"I heard 'pop pop pop pop pop,' and I
thought, 'what is going on,' and I [saw] the St. Louis Police Department
standing over my dog," said Scout's owner.
"He just started shooting him, he just kept
shooting him in the head," said Walmsley. "I said, 'What are you doing?
He's just a puppy!'"
The dog was taken to the vet were it later died.
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I've known this family for a long time. Anyone who ever set foot on
their property was ecstatically greeted by the friendliest dog you'd
ever meet. Scout didn't have an aggressive bone in his happy body - not
one. If Officer Vanhall somehow perceived Scout as a threat then he
isn't fit to "serve and protect" anyone. He clearly can't interpret dog
body language, and chose to use deadly force without trying ANYTHING
else first. I sure as heck don't want him around my family with a
firearm if he's that ready to shoot first. It's sad that the St. Louis
police chief sides with Vanhall - I don't understand how anyone could
believe that a friendly dog like Scout would pose any kind of threat.
The outcry from our community has been wonderfully supportive of the
Goetzinger family, and I don't believe that we will rest until justice
is served.
Walmsley says she was outside playing with
her own dog when her neighbor's golden retriever, Scout, ran over into
her yard. She says she called the dog over to play, which Scout did, and
then Scout ran back over back into his own yard. That's when Walmsley
says a police officer showed up.
Walmsley said the officer asked if the was
dog hers. She said "no," but told the officer Scout wasn't dangerous.
She says the officer tried to catch the dog, who apparently didn't want
to be caught. The dog tried to run away and when cornered by the
officer, let out a little growl. Walmsley says she couldn't believe what
happened next.
"I heard 'pop pop pop pop pop,' and I
thought, 'what is going on,' and I [saw] the St. Louis Police Department
standing over my dog," said Scout's owner.
"He just started shooting him, he just kept
shooting him in the head," said Walmsley. "I said, 'What are you doing?
He's just a puppy!'"
The dog was taken to the vet were it later died.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've known this family for a long time. Anyone who ever set foot on
their property was ecstatically greeted by the friendliest dog you'd
ever meet. Scout didn't have an aggressive bone in his happy body - not
one. If Officer Vanhall somehow perceived Scout as a threat then he
isn't fit to "serve and protect" anyone. He clearly can't interpret dog
body language, and chose to use deadly force without trying ANYTHING
else first. I sure as heck don't want him around my family with a
firearm if he's that ready to shoot first. It's sad that the St. Louis
police chief sides with Vanhall - I don't understand how anyone could
believe that a friendly dog like Scout would pose any kind of threat.
The outcry from our community has been wonderfully supportive of the
Goetzinger family, and I don't believe that we will rest until justice
is served.