Officer Involved Shooting Kills Dog

Los Angeles: A dog was shot on April 9, 2008, at 8:15 p.m., when LAPD officers from the 77th Street Area responded to a radio call in the 5500 block of South Western Avenue because of loud noises and a possible traffic collision.

At the scene, as officers began their investigation, a dog charged Officer Miguel Gutierrez, who has 5.5 years with the Department. Gutierrez was forced to shoot the animal, resulting in its death. There were no arrests during the incident.

Comments

[Gideon Spitzer]

I was just curious why the department does not make a habit of using tasers in order to subdue dogs, instead of lethal firearms?

[?]

Because when a dog bites a person, the dog causes serious bodily injury and even death defined by the California Penal Code. When you are faced with that would you rather prevent it from happening or have a chance of being injured. Tasers are not used because the prongs would never hit the animal, due to its speed. 2nd, the contact usage of the taser would not be good for the ofcr since his/her hand would still be to close, which would allow the dog to still cause sbi/death. I love animals as much as the next person, but I would do whatever is necessary to protect myself.

[Dis and Dat]

Gideon...have you ever seen how fast an aggressive dog can advance on a person??? A taser is most effective when there is an area large enough for the darts to hit. And that means when a dog is charging towards an officer, there isn't much choice as far as what weapon must be used.

I for one, would love to not ever see any dog get shot by the police, but when it comes down to an officer's safety, then unfortunately, the dog must be neutralized if he is posing an immediate threat to an individual.

[Matt]

Well, that's one way to make the community hate you...kill their dogs...

Why don't the officers use their capsaicin spray rather than always resorting to deadly force by shooting the dog?

It seems every other week we read of another LAPD cop killing a dog who is only protecting its property from strangers who are trespassing. What gives?

[a non ee moose]

Hey Matt, have you ever tried to spray an aggressive, charging dog with capsaicin spray?

[?]

Matt obviously you need to do some research and realize that O.C. spray not "capsaicin" (check how to spell it correctly) is ineffective on aggressive dogs the majority of the time. And if someone wants to pepper spray the dog first and find out the hard way that the pepper spray did not work while the dog is chewing on his/her limb causing some real damage, more power to them. I would rather be safe and I am an animal lover. Or the police can always not respond to radio calls where there are animals in the backyard because they "MAY" have to use deadly force if things go sideways. You be the judge.......

[Hot Fuzz]

Matt: pepper-spraying an aggressive, attacking dog is like slapping someone in the face who is stabbing you: it may distract them, but it most likely won't stop them.

But, if you want to test it out for yourself, arm yourself with some pepper-spray and trespass in any yard with a large, mean dog in it. While Cujo is chomping on you I'd be willing to be that you will wish you had more firepower than just a can of irritant spray that may or may not work.

[Neris, Felipe]

Well Matt, does it even matter what the officer uses? after the attack is over the dog WILL and Should be put down, As are all vicious animals. A bullet is cheaper than a visit to the Vet. Good Job Ofc.G. I wish you a speedy recovery.