City's police dog killed by county man

[4 Dog Mother]

This was the headline on our paper today. Can you imagine the stupidity of the man who shot this dog?


City's police dog killed by county man


By J. STEVEN DILLON

STAFF WRITER

A Findlay police dog that once found 40 pounds of cocaine stashed in a car, and also helped put numerous criminals behind bars, was killed over the weekend after it wandered away from its handler's home south of Findlay.

Flip, a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois, was shot at about 2:45 p.m. Saturday by a Jackson Township man who apparently felt threatened by the dog when it came onto his property.

The shooter has not been charged, but authorities are investigating whether he overreacted by shooting Flip, since the canine reportedly was not being aggressive at the time.

"We're investigating what happened and will turn our reports over to the prosecutor," Hancock County Sheriff's Capt. Roger Treece said Monday. "It will be the prosecutor's call" whether any laws were broken.

Flip had been the partner of Findlay Police Patrolman Bryon Deeter since May 2003, but was "off duty" Saturday at the time of the shooting.

Capt. Treece said Flip, who lived with Deeter, had been let outside to go to the bathroom when he got out of a fenced-in area and ended up at a neighbor's house, about one-fourth mile away.

The neighbor saw the dog on his property when he returned home, and went into his home to get a shotgun, which he used to shoot the dog.

The dog was in the man's backyard at the time.

The man, who has told authorities he did not recognize the dog, called city police after the shooting.

Sheriff Mike Heldman said the man indicated the dog was not acting aggressively when he shot him.

"He said the reason he shot him was because he was concerned for the safety of his son, who was still in the vehicle," Heldman said.

Findlay Police Chief Bill Spraw said Monday the department was saddened by the death of Flip, who was currently the city's only canine unit. Flip was purchased by the city in 2003 at a cost of $15,000, which included his training and the training of Deeter.

Over the past three years, Flip and Deeter had teamed up to make numerous criminal arrests. Once, Flip found 40 pounds of cocaine concealed in a vehicle stopped on Interstate 75.

Another time, Flip helped track down a man who had broken into a gas station in Carey.

Flip was well known in the community, not only by criminals, but by students at the city's middle schools. Chief Spraw said Deeter and Flip would make regular visits to the schools, which would sometimes hold fundraisers to purchase equipment for the dog.

One such fundraiser generated money that was used to purchase a device that automatically rolled down the window in the back seat of Deeter's cruiser -- where Flip rode -- when it got too hot inside.

"Flip was a special dog and the kids loved him," Spraw said. "He was extremely gentle, except when his handler would give him commands. He knew when it was time to work."

Spraw said some sort of memorial service will be held for Flip, who many of the city officers were extremely fond of.

"He was like one of our own," the chief said. "He worked whenever Deeter was working, so he used to hang out with the guys all the time."

Police Capt. Greg Horne said Deeter and Flip were a "good match," and worked extremely well together.

"Their personalities were very similar," Horne said. Deeter and Flip, according to Horne, had an ability to be "low key" one moment, but then be very businesslike and aggressive the next minute, if needed.

"I don't know if we'll ever find another dog like that," Horne said.

Deeter said Flip was a dedicated partner and was still at the peak of his career. While police dogs have an average working life of about eight years, and eventually lose their keen sense of smell, he said Flip was showing no signs of slowing down.

"He was still learning," Deeter said. "He still liked to work."

Deeter, who was named the police department's officer of the year in 2004, credited Flip with making him a better police officer.

Flip was trained not only to conduct building searches and track criminal suspects, but also to detect illegal drugs.

"I haven't looked at the numbers, but he was probably 96-97 percent accurate (in drug detections) this year," Deeter said Monday. "A drug dog has to be 80 percent accurate to be certified. He was exceptional."

Capt. Treece said Saturday's incident is being investigated as a shooting of a police officer, since Flip is considered a police dog.

He said a local veterinarian today will conduct a necropsy, the animal equivalent of an autopsy, and the state Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation will handle the ballistics portion of the inquiry into the shooting.

The gun used in the shooting has been seized as potential evidence.

Once complete, reports will be forwarded to the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office. Charges of assaulting or harassing a police dog are possible.

Under the Ohio Revised Code, it is against the law to assault or harass a police dog, even if the animal is off duty, if the offender has knowledge that the dog is police dog.

It is also unlawful to recklessly engage in any conduct that is likely to cause serious physical harm or death to a police dog.

In certain circumstances, a person who injures or kills a police dog or police horse can be required under state law to pay the cost of replacing the animal.

One of the questions prosecutors will have to answer is whether the property owner had a right to shoot the dog since it was running at large on his property.

State law allows for a dog to be killed if it is chasing or approaching in a menacing fashion, attempting to bite or otherwise endanger, or kills or injures a person.

A dog can also be killed if it chases, injures or kills livestock, poultry, other domestic animals, or other animals (with the exception of cats) when the dog is on the property of another person.

While it is not yet clear if charges will be filed in the shooting, Treece said it appears Saturday's incident could have been handled differently.

"There appear to have been better options," he said. "The best thing to do, if there is a dog on your property that you're not familiar with, is to call the sheriff or the dog warden. Depending on the situation, we will respond or have the dog warden dispatched and hopefully prevent something like this from happening."

Flip's death leaves the city without a canine unit for the first time since 1992. The sheriff's office currently has two dogs, Caikli and Becky, which Sheriff Heldman said will be made available to city police, as needed.

[Cinder & Smoke]

:(
:(

What a sickening event ... how utterly STUPID of the jerk with the gun. :mad:

Rest In Peace, Flip.

My sincere Sympathies to Officer Deeter for the loss of his Partner.

/s/ :( Phred

[loveforpets]

:( :(
What a stupid man!!!!
:mad:

Poor pup.........
RIP

[lizbud]

What a terrible thing to happen. :( Why didn't he call someone? I think
the guy seriously over-reacted to a non threating dog. That's so sad and
unneccesary. :(

[shais_mom]

what an idiot!
I think he needs the book thrown at him and he should pay the city back for money they invested into Flip.
Maybe I watch too much CSI or Law and Order but part of me wonders if he had something to hide and knew the dog was a police dog and didn't want him being a dog and snoop it out.
ggrrr

[Pam]

what an idiot!
I think he needs the book thrown at him and he should pay the city back for money they invested into Flip.


That was my first thought too Stacy. Since he can't be jailed for being this stupid, hit him where it hurts - in his wallet. What a jerk. :mad:

[LilacDragon]

So let me understand this.

A POLICE OFFICER lets his dog out unattended, the dog wanders a quarter of a mile from the officer's home and you people are mad at the guy with the GUN because he felt the need to defend his child from a dog he didn't recognize that was in his yard!?!

Just for fun - would you be mad if the neighbor owned a large, powerful dog that got loose and wandered into the officer's yard and the officer shot it? Or would the neighbor still be an idiot - but this time because he left his dog out unattended?

[Cinder & Smoke]

:mad:


So let me understand this.

A POLICE OFFICER lets his dog out unattended, the dog wanders a quarter of a mile from the officer's home and you people are mad at the guy with the GUN because he felt the need to defend his child from a dog he didn't recognize that was in his yard!?!

Just for fun - would you be mad if the neighbor owned a large, powerful dog that got loose and wandered into the officer's yard and the officer shot it? Or would the neighbor still be an idiot - but this time because he left his dog out unattended?

1) Flip wasn't just "let out, unattended" ...
He was turned out into his FENCED YARD - standard practice for the two Police Dogs *I* know.

2) Guy with gun "defending his child" ...
The "child" was quite SAFE - since he was still IN the car - not the yard ...

"Sheriff Mike Heldman said the man indicated the dog was not acting aggressively when he shot him.

"He said the reason he shot him was because he was concerned for the safety of his son, who was still in the vehicle," Heldman said."


HARDLY a situation requiring deadly force: :mad:

3) "Large, powerful, dog ..."
A Belgian Malinois is a relatively SMALL dog as compared to a German Shepherd "Police Dog" ...
A Belgian Malinois is a rather "friendly looking" dog - and unless acting under
Direct Command of his handler - would NOT have been acting in an agressive fashion ... the local State Park's BM Police Dog acts like a frisky pup when she's off-leash and having "play time".

4) Treece said it appears Saturday's incident could have been handled differently.
"There appear to have been better options," he said.

How true ... how sadly true.

:(

/s/ Phred

[areias]

I tend to somewhat agree with Lilac. Although it could have definately been handled differently, no one was there. True no one here (I don't think...) would shoot a stray dog on their property. But in a place with more rural houses when there's a stray dog...if you let it go, what if it sticks around and endangers your child later on?

Some people don't like dogs, especially ones on their property. Also, police officers should keep a close eye on their dogs, especially because they CAN and DO attack unprovoked.

[LilacDragon]

[QUOTE]Belgian Malinois Breed Standard
Herding Group

General Appearance
The Belgian Malinois is a well balanced, square dog, elegant in appearance with an exceedingly proud carriage of the head and neck. The dog is strong, agile, well muscled, alert, and full of life. He stands squarely on all fours and viewed from the side, the topline, forelegs, and hind legs closely approximate a square. The whole conformation gives the impression of depth and solidity without bulkiness. The male is usually somewhat more impressive and grand than his female counterpart, which has a distinctly feminine look.

Size, Proportion, Substance
Males are 24 to 26 inches in height; females are 22 to 24 inches; measurement to be taken at the withers. Males under 23 inches or over 27 inches and females under 21 inches or over 25 inches are to be disqualified. The length, measured from the point of the breastbone to the point of the rump, should equal the height, but bitches may be slightly longer. A square dog is preferred. Bone structure is moderately heavy in proportion to height so that the dog is well balanced throughout and neither spindly or leggy nor cumbersome and bulky.

Temperament
Correct temperament is essential to the working character of the Belgian Malinois. The breed is confident, exhibiting neither shyness nor aggressiveness in new situations. The dog may be reserved with strangers but is affectionate with his own people. He is naturally protective of his owner's person and property without being overly aggressive. The Belgian Malinois possesses a strong desire to work and is quick and responsive to commands from his owner. Faulty temperament is strongly penalized. [QUOTE]


[QUOTE]
German Shepherd Dog Breed Standard
Herding Group

General Appearance
The first impression of a good German Shepherd Dog is that of a strong, agile, well muscled animal, alert and full of life. It is well balanced, with harmonious development of the forequarter and hindquarter. The dog is longer than tall, deep-bodied, and presents an outline of smooth curves rather than angles. It looks substantial and not spindly, giving the impression, both at rest and in motion, of muscular fitness and nimbleness without any look of clumsiness or soft living. The ideal dog is stamped with a look of quality and nobility--difficult to define, but unmistakable when present. Secondary sex characteristics are strongly marked, and every animal gives a definite impression of masculinity or femininity, according to its sex.

Temperament
The breed has a distinct personality marked by direct and fearless, but not hostile, expression, self-confidence and a certain aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. The dog must be approachable, quietly standing its ground and showing confidence and willingness to meet overtures without itself making them. It is poised, but when the occasion demands, eager and alert; both fit and willing to serve in its capacity as companion, watchdog, blind leader, herding dog, or guardian, whichever the circumstances may demand. The dog must not be timid, shrinking behind its master or handler; it should not be nervous, looking about or upward with anxious expression or showing nervous reactions, such as tucking of tail, to strange sounds or sights. Lack of confidence under any surroundings is not typical of good character. Any of the above deficiencies in character which indicate shyness must be penalized as very serious faults and any dog exhibiting pronounced indications of these must be excused from the ring. It must be possible for the judge to observe the teeth and to determine that both testicles are descended. Any dog that attempts to bite the judge must be disqualified. The ideal dog is a working animal with an incorruptible character combined with body and gait suitable for the arduous work that constitutes its primary purpose.

Size, Proportion, Substance
The desired height for males at the top of the highest point of the shoulder blade is 24 to 26 inches; and for bitches, 22 to 24 inches.

The German Shepherd Dog is longer than tall, with the most desirable proportion as 10 to 8½. The length is measured from the point of the prosternum or breastbone to the rear edge of the pelvis, the ischial tuberosity. The desirable long proportion is not derived from a long back, but from overall length with relation to height, which is achieved by length of forequarter and length of withers and hindquarter, viewed from the side.


Approved February 11, 1978
Reformatted July 11, 1994
[QUOTE]

Hmmm. According to AKC's breed standard for the German Shepherd and the Malinois - size wise is dead on. Having spent several years in Germany and having worked with military police, I can tell you that a police trained Mal is a very intimidating creature and to someone who doesn't know dogs - they look very much like a GSD.

Look. I don't think the dog should have been shot. But none of us was there or knows what that man saw. Calling him a jerk, an idiot and stupid is kind of like him over-reacting to a loose dog, don'tcha think?

As for the dog being turned out in a fenced in yard "standard practice for the two police dogs" that you know - well that is nice to know.

If I let my dog out in my fenced yard and it escapes from my yard and threatens someone or makes someone feel threatened - that is MY fault and you can damn sure bet that the local police would feel free to impound my dog and issue me a ticket.

[4 Dog Mother]

I scanned the picture from the paper as they did not have the picture on line. As you can see Flip was not a "large, powerful dog" at all. The article also says he was gentle. I did not think so much that he was trying to protect something he had on his property but wondered if he had a gripe against the police officer or police in general


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid219/p301d7a99534b51449ba92ed2d499a4c3/ebf3c42a.jpg

Issuing you a ticket and impounding your dog is quite a leap to shooting the dog and killing it. I still don't understand why he couldn't have called the police or since the man and dog lived there for several years, why he couldn't have called the dog owner.

[LilacDragon]

Ok. I give up and you are right. The shooter was at fault because he should have known that the dog was a police dog, was gentle and was awarded the special priveledge of wandering the neighborhood at will.

What was I thinking?

[critter crazy]

I dont care what breed of dog it is, if a stray dog comes onto my property, my first instict is NOT to shoot it!! and yes i have kids! I make sure the kids are inside, and then i try to find out who/where the dog belongs! I have had akitas, rotties, labs, acd's, shepards, saint bernards, and many others come onto my property. I sure as heck didnt shoot first and ask questions later! If they are not friendly enoough to come to me, then I call animal control and they take care of the dog, but I have only had that happen once, and that was because the dog was hurt, and scrared. I could see if the guys child was in the yard, and the dog was acting aggressive. But the kid was in the car! and the guy left the kid in the car to go and grab a shot gun! He obviously didnt think the dog could get to the child other wise he would have taken the child in the house with him! The guy overreacted!! Seriously overreacted!

[Marigold2]

This is tragic any way you look at it. My dad used to help train police dogs. I got to play with them as a child. They are very well behaved, however I must say that after looking at the photo of Flip, he does look a bit like a pit bull and from far away say maybe 30 or 40 feet, I would be a little scared. Sorry all you pit bull lovers but the bred makes me nervous. Perhaps this man looking at Flip thought he had a pit ball mix on his hands and fired away. Very Sad.

[critter crazy]

Ok. I give up and you are right. The shooter was at fault because he should have known that the dog was a police dog, was gentle and was awarded the special priveledge of wandering the neighborhood at will.

What was I thinking?

NO. definitely not! police dog or not, the dog should not have been wandering! but did he deserve to be shot??

[shais_mom]

Ok. I give up and you are right. The shooter was at fault because he should have known that the dog was a police dog, was gentle and was awarded the special priveledge of wandering the neighborhood at will.

What was I thinking?
I don't think there is any reason to be quite so nasty. You have your opinion and we have ours. I strongly still think this guy is an idiot simply b/c he shot first and asked questions later. Typical for this redneck-ish area. And yes, I live in the area so I am not un-educated in this matter. Trust me this isn't the first dog that was innocently happening along and was shot by the first redneck that sees it. It just makes the papers b/c it was a police dog.
I don't care if the dog looks like a pit or not - if it looked like a bear or a mountain lion - highly unlikely in this are- that's an entirely different story.
Its simply a case of "I say poe-tate-o you say pa-tat-o."

[LilacDragon]

That was hardly nasty.

As I said in my second post - I don't think that the dog should have been shot any more then you do. But the fact of the matter is that not everyone is as dog savvy as most of the members here and for whatever reason, this man felt that he needed to defend his son. Whether he was right or wrong - it is certainly no reason to call him names or refer to him as a "redneck".

[K9soul]

How tragic :(. Rest in peace, dear Flip. Officer Deeter must be devastated.. I understand how deeply bonded they become with their dogs. :(

[luvofallhorses]

what a *******! :mad: Rest in peace dear, Flip..you were loved dearly. :(

[wolfsoul]

How sad. :(

While I don't think the dog should have been shot, etc, I disagree that Belgians are friendly looking -- malinois being the variety that most would find least friendly-appearing. In a picture, a Belgian may appear quite nice, but in "real life," Belgians have a certain way of moving, and they have what is called the "Belgian stare" that sends alot of people on edge. I often have people ask me if my dogs are wolves.

Honestly the only plausable thing I can think of, though grasping for straws here -- is that the man was unable to reach his young son in the vehicle due to the dog's presence. It doesn't say how old the child was -- it could have been a baby for all we know. It could have been 40 degrees and the windows were rolled up. Perhaps he had run into the house because he'd forgotten something and left his son for one minute only to come back to find a dog in front of the vehicle. Now it may not give someone an excuse to shoot a dog, but we should give this man the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he had a good reason that the media is failing to admit (Remember -- the media?? The thing that ruined pit bulls?).

There are two sides to every story. It is a sad event and it could have been prevented but sometimes there is more than what there seems.

[lovingpaws]

This is ridiculous. The neighbor shoots a "dog". Come on, its not a bear or mountain lion. He could easily have picked up the phone to sherriff. There was no immediate danger.
Second the neighbor has never "seen" the police dog before, something about this story is just not fitting together. You have a cop and a K-9 cop living by you and you don't know what they look like. :mad: I want to throw up

[borzoimom]

Wolfsoul- you comment on not being able to reach the child is the reason we have a new law in this state. Dogs must either be leashed in a car, or crated. It went into effect when a firefighter was seriously bitten trying to get the occupants out of a crashed car and the dog was loose in the car. They have to have at least a 6 inch tag lead on the dog. ..I had to buy 4 of these because my dogs dont wear full length leashes because they tie up each others feet. My van is divided into sections, but it doesnt matter- they have to have a lead on them by law. A friend of mine that does Border collie rescue had several dogs in her sectioned van, and still got a 75 dollar fine.

[Marigold2]

Not one person who reads about Flip isn't saddened about the tragic events. I am sure we can all agree about that. Lets however be careful to rush to judgement. And about growling at each other because of what happened. None of us shot poor Flip. We are just trying to understand what happened. Would I have shot him, no, I would, could never imagine myself hurting any animal? But I wasn't there. What would I do to protect my child, everything and anything. I live in a development, the house are new and I have met most neighbors, however after being here 8 years there are some people I don't know, have never met. Some people don't socialize, don't do block parties, don't call or come over for dinner or have kids that play together. Lets please show some kindess in the face of this terrible accident.

[elizabethann]

Poor Flip. RIP Flip.

[Cincy'sMom]

RIP Flip. You were taken from duty well before your time.

[areias]

Second the neighbor has never "seen" the police dog before, something about this story is just not fitting together. You have a cop and a K-9 cop living by you and you don't know what they look like.

The article says that the neighbor is 1/4 mile away. He probably didn't know the police officer, especially not well enough to know he had a dog. Heck there's a state trooper that lives 1/4 mile away from me, and I don't know him, all I see is his car. A cop lives behind my house, I've never talked to him.

I don't know. None of us want to see any dog shot but I feel there are factors that haven't been said. Wolfsoul put it correctly.

[ramanth]

Such a waste. :( :( RIP Flip.

[pitc9]

Ok. I give up and you are right. The shooter was at fault because he should have known that the dog was a police dog, was gentle and was awarded the special priveledge of wandering the neighborhood at will.

What was I thinking?

:rolleyes: Ugh.... like THAT was Necessary :rolleyes:

It was a horrible tragedy, the dog should have never been in that situation, it's sad any way you look at it.

RIP Flip. :(

[shais_mom]

I guess we will have to agree to disagree b/c only growing up 25 minutes from where this area doesn't give me any kind of clue to most of the people that live around there. Yup, I'm clueless.
RIP FLIP- play hard at the bridge.

[cyber-sibes]

How tragic. But let me get this straight - this guy is the policeman's neighbor, and the dog's been living there since 2003, and this guy didn't recognize the dog?????? I live just outside of Findlay, all the houses have farm fields in between, so 1/4 mile apart is not that big a deal. And the people around here all know who has what animals.

I think this guy's excuse sounds pretty lame. He was worried about his son, but he took the time to go into the house, load a gun (unless he keeps a loaded rifle in the same house his child lives in :rolleyes: ), come back out & shoot the dog? B.S.

He should at the very least, have to reimburse the city for the loss.

[shais_mom]

How tragic. But let me get this straight - this guy is the policeman's neighbor, and the dog's been living there since 2003, and this guy didn't recognize the dog?????? I live just outside of Findlay, all the houses have farm fields in between, so 1/4 mile apart is not that big a deal. And the people around here all know who has what animals.

I think this guy's excuse sounds pretty lame. He was worried about his son, but he took the time to go into the house, load a gun (unless he keeps a loaded rifle in the same house his child lives in :rolleyes: ), come back out & shoot the dog? B.S.

He should at the very least, have to reimburse the city for the loss.
well said Pat

[ramanth]

Amen Pat.

1/4 mile is not that far. My parents live in a rural area. I don't know all the neighbors that well, but I know if there is a dog in my parents yard, I can typically tell whose it is. The chow lives a 1/4 mile away. The terrier, about a 100 yards. The neighbors across used to have a Husky.

We've either led the dog home, called the owners, hollar at it from a window (and they typically scoot off) or if it's an unknown, called animal control.

It would of taken him less time to hollar at the dog to try and scare it off than to go load a gun and shoot it. :(

[CathyBogart]

I have to agree with Lilac....this was totally preventable....by the handler not leaving a $15,000 dog unattended. I don't like the idea of shooting strange dogs just for wandering on your property, but some people don't think of dogs as family members and don't attach the same emotional value to them that we do.

Honestly, the dog was on his property, and I have seen the "belgian stare" at the dog park and can understand how that could be very intimidating to someone unfamiliar with the breed.

As for recognizing the dog...if he is one of the people who doesn't attach much emotional value to a dog, he may have met his neighbor before and not paid any attention to the appearance of the dog.

I don't like that he just shot the dog out of hand, however, I don't think he was totally out of line to do so either.

[347fairless]

So let me understand this.

A POLICE OFFICER lets his dog out unattended, the dog wanders a quarter of a mile from the officer's home and you people are mad at the guy with the GUN because he felt the need to defend his child from a dog he didn't recognize that was in his yard!?!

Just for fun - would you be mad if the neighbor owned a large, powerful dog that got loose and wandered into the officer's yard and the officer shot it? Or would the neighbor still be an idiot - but this time because he left his dog out unattended?

What an ignorant line of thought...

Unattended dog + tresspassing = Defending (Fair)

Shooting or killing = 1st defense option (Moronic)

Get where I'm going with this lady? If your little doggies nip at my heel, I have the right to stomp there heads into the pavement because I was holding my child, right? Or is it only OK to shoot a dog because of size? Which is it

When a dude wips out a gun to shoot a dog that was not in any way menacing, gues what, he's a REDNECK

I'm sorry if you got a little defensive when the term was used, and you probably dropped your Busch beer and stained that Dale Earnheart t-shirt you were wearing, but the shoe definetly fits in this instance... ;) The child was in a vehicle, away from the dog that was located in the backyard, now maybe most of the vehicles on blocks in your front lawn are missing doors, or glass, but I can assure you this one had both.

[Cataholic]

What an ignorant line of thought...

Unattended dog + tresspassing = Defending (Fair)

Shooting or killing = 1st defense option (Moronic)

Get where I'm going with this lady? If your little doggies nip at my heel, I have the right to stomp there heads into the pavement because I was holding my child, right? Or is it only OK to shoot a dog because of size? Which is it

When a dude wips out a gun to shoot a dog that was not in any way menacing, gues what, he's a REDNECK

I'm sorry if you got a little defensive when the term was used, and you probably dropped your Busch beer and stained that Dale Earnheart t-shirt you were wearing, but the shoe definetly fits in this instance... ;) The child was in a vehicle, away from the dog that was located in the backyard, now maybe most of the vehicles on blocks in your front lawn are missing doors, or glass, but I can assure you this one had both.


LOLOL. That is pretty funny. I, too, wonder- if the guy had enough forethought to leave his 'child' in the car, to enter the home, grab and load a gun, and come out and shoot the dog, he had enough time to enter the home, grab a phone, and call the police. Come on....dogs wander onto my property all the time. I have a child. My first thought is to get Jonah securely placed, then do the same to the dog.

REDNECK. Heaven forbid some child wanders onto his property...like maybe a teenager? He might have to shoot the kid 'cause you don't know what he might do.

Our world is not perfect. Leashes break. Fences break. Doors that one thought were locked weren't. What happened to common sense?

RIP, OFFICER. You were taken long before your time by an act of stupidity.

[shais_mom]

while a bit blunt I had to smile the entire time I was reading your post 347fairless, it rings true. Now while Findlay is a larger city then the area I grew up - about 20 min south - I also know that there is one guy that while my dad was spreading fertilizer in his field he kept coming up on dead pigs, he finally asked the guy - why are there dead pigs out in your field? He said - oh I let them out one day and was sitting on my porch and decided to see how many times it took for me to SHOOT THEM before they died. Some of them I shot about 10 times! My dad high tailed it out of there before he shot HIM to see how many times it took! :confused: While this is an isolated - very assinine case - It is rare it happened, altho it certainly doesn't compare to to shooting a police dog.. I don't even like pigs all that much and felt awful for them. Talk about animal cruelty, torture.

[Cincy'sMom]

REDNECK

I'm sorry if you got a little defensive when the term was used, and you probably dropped your Busch beer and stained that Dale Earnheart t-shirt you were wearing, but the shoe definetly fits in this instance... ;)

I take offensive to that....I admit I'm a redneck, and while I'm not a Dale fan, I do have some stained Tony Stewart T-shirts! You're giving us Redneck Nascar fans a bad name!! :D

[Cinder & Smoke]

I take offensive to that ... I admit I'm a redneck,
and while I'm not a Dale fan, I do have some stained Tony Stewart T-shirts!

You're giving us Redneck Nascar fans a bad name!! :D

CONTEXT, Amy - Context!

YOU haven't shot any Police Dogs in your back yard, lately, have you?

REDNECKS are fine; Rednecks with GUNS are sometimes a problem!

:D

/s/ RedPhred

[LilacDragon]

What an ignorant line of thought...

Unattended dog + tresspassing = Defending (Fair)

Shooting or killing = 1st defense option (Moronic)

Get where I'm going with this lady? If your little doggies nip at my heel, I have the right to stomp there heads into the pavement because I was holding my child, right? Or is it only OK to shoot a dog because of size? Which is it

When a dude wips out a gun to shoot a dog that was not in any way menacing, gues what, he's a REDNECK

I'm sorry if you got a little defensive when the term was used, and you probably dropped your Busch beer and stained that Dale Earnheart t-shirt you were wearing, but the shoe definetly fits in this instance... ;) The child was in a vehicle, away from the dog that was located in the backyard, now maybe most of the vehicles on blocks in your front lawn are missing doors, or glass, but I can assure you this one had both.

How very thoughtful of you. And you used your very first post for this? Gosh, but you are a smart one.

FYI - I don't drink or and all I know about Dale is that he used to race cars, not that I have ever seen a car race. As for the cars on my lawn, while my car is old, it runs and is neatly parked in the carport. Since I live in an apartment, there aren't any cars fitting your description in the parking lot.

It really is too bad to think that you feel the need to be so insulting and such an a$$ to someone who has an opinion different from yours.

[Cincy'sMom]

CONTEXT, Amy - Context!

YOU haven't shot any Police Dogs in your back yard, lately, have you?

REDNECKS are fine; Rednecks with GUNS are sometimes a problem!

:D

/s/ RedPhred


I always screw that whole Context thing up ;) :D

[Cataholic]

I take offensive to that....I admit I'm a redneck, and while I'm not a Dale fan, I do have some stained Tony Stewart T-shirts! You're giving us Redneck Nascar fans a bad name!! :D

Does this, or does it not, mean YOU like Busch beer????? :D :eek:

[Cincy'sMom]

Does this, or does it not, mean YOU like Busch beer????? :D :eek:


I left the Busch beer part out intentioanlly...I do tend to be a little pickier on my beer :D

[4 Dog Mother]

News report from Findlay Courier
Crowd mourns loss of Findlay police dog


By J. STEVEN DILLON

STAFF WRITER

The Findlay Police Department got some good news Thursday, the same day that officers and the community gathered at Central Auditorium to mourn the loss of the department's lone canine officer.

An estimated crowd of 1,000 people -- mostly law enforcement officers and students -- paid their last respects to Flip, the canine officer who was shot by a neighbor after wandering away from his handler's home in Jackson Township on Nov. 18.

Near the end of the memorial service, Flip was given a last roll call over the police radio, an honor usually reserved for fallen human officers. A dispatcher announced at 10:43 a.m. that officer "C-3" -- Flip's badge number -- had ended his tour of duty.

But the solemn ceremony concluded on an upbeat note, when Police Chief Bill Spraw announced that former Findlay resident Ben Roethlisberger, the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers, plans to donate money to purchase a new police dog for the city.

The donation comes in the form of a grant from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund. It will also cover the cost of purchasing a ballistic vest for the new officer.

Spraw said after the memorial service that he did not know how soon a new dog would join the police ranks, or if Patrolman Bryon Deeter, Flip's partner, will want to be the new dog's handler.

"I am not sure how long it would be until we get another K-9 up and running," he said. "I believe it is 13 weeks of training. So at least that long."

In a press release from The Giving Back Fund, Roethlisberger said he expects the grant to be the first of many to police and fire departments throughout the United States.

A dog owner himself, Roethlisberger has expressed a specific interest in helping communities acquire police dogs, which due to budget constraints, often must be purchased through donations.

The city had paid about $15,000 for Flip, training and equipment back in 2003.

The grant announcement came at the end of an emotional 40-minute service for Flip, an almost 6-year-old Belgian Malinois who some speakers suggested may be impossible to replace.

Chief Spraw said he underestimated the impact the dog's death would have on his department, on the community and beyond. He said he has received numerous calls and e-mails in recent days from people who were saddened to learn of the dog's death.

"Flip was an officer. He was our friend," Spraw said. "Our department suffered a great loss."

Some of Flip's accomplishments were highlighted by the dozen or so people who spoke at the ceremony.

Known as "Flip the Wonder Dog" or "Flip the Super Dog" by some who saw him at work, the four-legged crime fighter made his mark in drug detection early in his career, and once sniffed out 40 pounds of cocaine that had been hidden in a compartment of a vehicle.

Flip was also certified in tracking and article search, and had helped conduct numerous successful tracks -- helping to apprehend suspects, locate suicidal subjects, and expose additional crime scenes.

His "sniff success" rate had risen from 83 percent during his first days on the police department to 97.4 percent this year.

Patrolman Kurt Necker said Flip had become so adept at detecting illegal substances that his mere presence on the streets impacted drug activity.

"It got so drug dealers would know when Bryon and Flip were working and would actually stop dealing when they were on duty," he said.

Brian Woods, a retired police officer and a master trainer at Lynnwood Kennels, where Flip and Deeter received their training back in 2003, recalled handing Deeter the leash for the first time when Flip was still a pup. He said he witnessed dog and handler grow confident together.

"I remember the look of shock on Bryon's face," he said. "They made a great team."

Hancock County sheriff's deputies Ron Digby and Fred Smith, who both have police dogs and who trained with Deeter and Flip over the years, each credited the city duo with making the sheriff's K-9 unit stronger.

Digby called Flip "awesome," while Smith said the dog was one of the best police officers this community has ever had.

"Flip set the standard for the rest of us," Smith said.

One student each from Central, Donnell, Glenwood and St. Michael's also spoke and then lit a candle on the auditorium stage to symbolize Flip's four years of service with the department.

Deeter and Flip had become regular visitors at local schools and at Safety Town over the years, where they did demonstrations and conducted assemblies. In turn, students raised money to buy Flip equipment by collecting pop tabs, and through other fundraisers.

Police said nearly 1,000 people attended the service Thursday, including about 700 students, 100 law enforcement officers from local and area departments, and another 200 community members.

Officers had honored Flip the past 12 days by wearing black bands on their badges, and by flying flags at the police memorial on Romick Parkway at half mast. The local police union has purchased a brick for the memorial walkway in Flip's memory and will recognize him at the memorial on June 4.



Did we notice that this threatening dog was mourned by 700 students from the schools he visited on a regular basis? I wonder how threatening he really was?



And from the Toledo Blade ( a city about 50 miles to the north of us)


Findlay mourns loss of police dog, rejoices in Steeler's gift to replace it.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid220/p303cf00a72a350957a3e18a5886c9726/ebcba320.jpg


Flip’s handler, Findlay police officer Bryon Deeter, and his family, son Mikael, 17, and wife, Mary, bid an emotional good-bye to their friend and companion.


By JENNIFER FEEHAN
BLADE STAFF WRITER


FINDLAY - There were plenty of tears shed for Findlay's popular police dog Flip at a memorial service held for him yesterday, but the ceremony ended on a bright note.

Police Chief Bill Spraw announced that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had pledged to buy a new police dog for his hometown. The gift represents the first grant made from the newly established Ben Roethlisberger Foundation.

Chief Spraw thanked Mr. Roethlisberger for his generosity and commended his parents, Ken and Brenda, who were among the crowd of students and community members assembled at Central Middle School auditorium for the memorial.

"Thank you for raising a great son," the chief said, as the audience rose to its feet and applauded.


Findlay Police Sgt. David Hill, left, and Patrolman Brad Doolittle stand at attention during the memorial service for Flip, the department’s K-9 officer, who was shot to death Nov. 18.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid220/p678678fb1378348756dae02590e07082/ebcba323.jpg

Findlay police had been undecided about whether to try to replace Flip after the 5-year-old Belgian Malinois was shot to death Nov. 18 by a Jackson Township resident.

The dog had wandered about a half-mile away from the home of his handler, Officer Bryon Deeter, after a member of Officer Deeter's family let Flip out of the house but apparently forgot to let him back in before the family left to go to a relative's house.

Capt. Roger Treece of the Hancock County Sheriff's Office, which is investigating the shooting, said a neighbor who had just pulled into his driveway with his 2-year-old son said he tried unsuccessfully to scare the dog away. He told deputies he went inside and got his shotgun, then shot Flip when the dog began coming toward him.

Captain Treece said investigative reports were turned over Wednesday to the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, although deputies are still awaiting a final report from the veterinarian who performed a necropsy on Flip and from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, which processed evidence from the scene.

The feelings the Deeter family and Findlay police had for Flip were evident during the nearly hour-long memorial service that included prayers for Flip by the police chaplain, tributes by fellow officers, a bugler playing "Taps," and a bagpiper playing "Amazing Grace." Students from the city's three middle schools and St.


Flip.


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid220/pde89c62330db2f3f2b0f6e49083c5b95/ebcba31f.jpg

Michael the Archangel School also talked about how they enjoyed having Flip visit their school and lit four candles to represent his four years on the police force.

A tearful Brian Woods, a former Fremont police officer who trained Officer Deeter and Flip, said the bond between a police dog and his handler is a tight one based on trust and respect.

"For those of you who are thinking, 'What's the big deal? This was just a dog.' I wish I could plug you into any one of these K-9 officers here today," Mr. Woods said.

Findlay Police Officer Kurt Necker said Flip had earned the nicknames "Flip the wonder dog" and "Flip the super dog" because he was so proficient in sniffing out drugs and criminals. During his first year on the job, he located 40 pounds of cocaine in a hidden compartment of a car stopped by state troopers on I-75.

"The only thing Flip was missing was a little red cape to wear because it almost seemed like there wasn't anything he couldn't do," added Deputy Ron Digby, a K-9 handler with the Hancock County Sheriff's Office. "It almost got to the point where Flip could type Bryon's reports for him."

Chief Spraw said afterward that he hadn't budgeted for a new police dog and was thrilled when he heard Mr. Roethlisberger wanted to help the city out.

The amount of his gift was not made public, but Stephanie Sandler, chief executive officer of the Giving Back Fund, which helped set up the Roethlisberger Foundation, said the grant would cover the full cost of a new dog and equipment like a K-9 ballistic vest. City officials estimated they had $15,000 invested in Flip, including equipment and training.

"My Dad instilled in me a love and respect for animals," the Steelers quarterback said in a statement. "This is a good way to combine that passion with a desire to support the police and fire departments, which deserve all the appropriate resources needed to protect our cities and neighborhoods."

"Ben loves dogs, and he has a lot of friends on the police department," Mayor Tony Iriti said afterward.

The mayor added that losing Flip was akin to losing a human police officer and pledged to "lead the charge for whatever penalties can be done civilly or criminally" for the loss.

[lizbud]

That's an amazing display of honor for this police dog. :) I didn't know
that this football player was from Finday. :cool:

I really hope that this offficer recieving the replacement dog make a
promise to look after it himself & never just assume someone else has
done the proper thing. it's not just the cost of the dog. but the trust
the dog places with it's owner/handler.

[shais_mom]

amazing.
Go Ben!

[cyber-sibes]

Thanks for posting the articles, Diana. That was quite a memorial service! It will be interesting to see what happens legally/criminally regarding this incident. The generous gift from Ben R. just shows that the pride & love Findlay has for him flows both ways! Thank you, Ben!

[RICHARD]

Some food for thought...

Cop dogs are trained attack dogs. Without a handler present there is no way to know how a dog will act...

If a dog goes off, "shoo dog" ain't gonna work. If they grab a limb they ain't gonna let go unless you have the magic word. Cop dogs are usually trained to respond to their handlers-in commands given in German.

This dog should not have been out and about.

Let's say the dog see's a kid running down the street and the instinct to chase takes over?

How many times have we seen someone that owns a PB or Rott cited/and or jailed because their dog was out and about?

-------------------------

Other than USAR, military sentry and Customs work dogs should not be used by Law Enforcement.

The thing that really pi$$es me off is when I hear of a dog killed by some slug (redneck?) ;) and the PD justifies it by saying something stupid like, "it could have been an officer..."

Oh sure......send an animal into a situation where they can be killed or maimed? Poor fricking animals only know a job and a job well done.
I am sure that if they knew what they were doing they'd opt for a porch, food and stew bones as opposed to being a point for the man.

Take a look at some of the documentaries on the dogs that served in Viet Nam.

Yes, they helped save lives on the battlefield, but in the end what happened to them?

----------------------
No, the dog did not deserve to be shot. But there is enough blame to spread to both parties....

My brother had a nasty GS dog that was a total jerk, While he was on vacation I was watching it. It got loose and was hit by a car.

Do I blame the driver of the car? NOPE, It was all my fault for not making sure the dog was secured. END OF SUBJECT.

No one wants to accept blame for anything anymore..

______________________

Good bye Mark Martin!

[wolfsoul]

No, the dog did not deserve to be shot. But there is enough blame to spread to both parties....

I completely agree. You know how many times I've heard "my dog was in heat in the backyard and a male dog jumped the fence and got to her." So it was the male dog's fault, right? Nope. It's YOUR dog. It's YOUR responsibility to watch the dog. If you do not want your dog to get pregnant, you make sure it's 100% impossible for your dog to get out and another dog to get in. The same goes in any situation. While it was wrong for the dog to be shot, the dog should not have been loose in the first place. Belgians are very athletic dogs -- while my Visa was in Alberta, she was placed in a yard with an 8 foot fence. She jumped it. Luckily the breeder was responsible enough to have been watching through the window the entire time. In French ring (a sport that police dogs are occasionally quite active in), Belgians jump 10 foot fences.

No, I don't think the dog should have been shot. But a Belgian owner, and one that owns a police trained Belgian, of all people, should know that these dogs are not golden retrievers. These are dangerous dogs. These dogs posess a drive like no other and are NOT to be underestimated.
99% of schutzhund trained dogs are in it for the game -- these are stable, well trained dogs. They will not attack unless they see a sleeve, and in their mind, they aren't "attacking." They are playing a game.
Then you get the 1% of schutzhund trained dogs (these are the ones used by police officers) that are serious about their work. They will attack whether or not they see a sleeve. I have seen these dogs in action and have not been impressed by the lack of control that the owners and trainers have over these dogs. I've almost been attacked, my dog has almost been attacked. It's not the dogs' fault -- they were born with an aggression and a drive -- and then they were trained to use it. Visa is one dog that could easily have been used by a police officer. It took alot of training and effort on my part to control her drive and diminish what effects it had over her so that I and others around me could feel safe -- a police officer would have brought her drive up, encouraged it. A Belgian in drive WILL bite their owner and people they know well, if they are in the way. A Belgian's drive is not triggered by something unimportant -- it is triggered by another dog, a child running, an animal moving, etc.

These are not just dogs you can leave in your backyard unattended. I would never speak about another breed with such candor, but I have been around these dogs, I own these dogs, and now I breed these dogs, and I have seen and experienced enough to know that these are not dogs for the average joe, and they need to be properly contained at all times.

[RICHARD]

I went to my 'fountain of wisdom' and came back with this nugget.

In espanol there are many wonderful sayings, called "dichos".
They are kinda generic for each situation.

For this situation?


Despues de un buen servicio.
Una mal paga.


Translated?

After one good service
One bad return/payback.

[mina'smomma]

Sheriff Mike Heldman said the man indicated the dog was not acting aggressively when he shot him.

"He said the reason he shot him was because he was concerned for the safety of his son, who was still in the vehicle," Heldman said.

In all other words.... I just shot him because he was there. I'm sorry, but if the dog is not acting in an agressive manner then there is no reason to shoot them. He was just being plain mean and stupid. I feel sorry for the owner.

[cyber-sibes]

Sheriff Mike Heldman said the man indicated the dog was not acting aggressively when he shot him. :( I'm speechless.

[RICHARD]

Ask any professional to leave their tools outside on the sidewalk.

Now, There is a difference with a tool and a dog.

But, this cop was negligent with his partner/tool/city property.

"I forgot to let him in..."

===========================

The dog was in no way dangerous at that point.

I dare anyone to approach a stray in the street or your yard.

Killing the dog was WAY OVER THE LINE.


The homeowner should be charged with cruelty.

The cop?

Leash law, mismanaging public property, animal neglect and what else?


Fine each half of the training costs and throw them both in jail.


Most people who are given company property are entrusted to care for it in a reasonable manner.

We can deflect the fact that the cop was stupid by leaving the dog outside,
We do blame the owner for shooting the dog...

If the dog was cared for in a reasonable manner, there would not be a story.
Lay the blame where it belongs.


-----------------

You can almost argue the same idea had the cop left a gun on the sidewalk.

Alone, the gun was just fine.
It wasn't until the humans got involved that things went wrong.