Dog Dies During Traffic Stop

[sparks19]

That really stinks. I can't imagine what kind of person , cop or no cop, would let a dog die . He could have escorted the owner to the vet clinic and given him the ticket once the dog got help if he felt it was so justified. Wonder what that cop would have done if a woman was in the back seat in labour?

I agree

You know I asked my husband this when i was pregnant. what would he do if we were on the way to the hospital and he got caught for speeding... would he keep driving or stop.

he said that he would stop and tell the cop I was in labor and ask for an escort... if the cop refused he would drive away and face the consequences later.

TOTALLY insensitive. I cannot believe a cop would do this. Isn't this in some way against animal cruelty laws? Don't they promote getting an animal vet attention when it is needed? seems that it was this cops job to ensure that happened and then deal with the owner.

I would have gladly paid double the ticket price to get my pet to the vet.

[Taz_Zoee]

Apparently he didn't stop right away and other units were called in. The vet was approx. 8 to 10 miles from their home. Not sure how far from home they were.
AND, there was only a little over 2 min of video, but they said they were there for 20 minutes. Why does it take 20 minutes to give a speeding ticket?? I've had a few in my time and they didn't take 20 flippin' minutes.

I just can't believe poor Missy died in her mom's lap. And the girl said another cop was at her door saying "the dog is already dead" when she was still alive (barely).

Since there were other units there, if I were the second person in the car I would have asked another officer to take me and the dog to the ER vet. I would have left the driver there to deal with the a-hole officer. Sorry Honey, but I'm going to save our dog.

[elizabethann]

I'm not sure if I would have stopped or not. When Maxie had a stroke last year at 2am, I drove 100mph in the middle of a snowstorm. There were not that many cars on the road. To be honest, I was more worried about Maxie and the only thing I thought of hitting was a deer or something. I could have easily of been stopped, but luckily I wasn't.

I just think the cop showed a lack of sensitivity. This cop is a rookie. If he is acting this way early in his career, how will he be in 10 years - a complete a$$?

[Catty1]

http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp...6&nav=0s3dW97j

Residents decry cop's role in dog death

Posted: Sep 25, 2008 01:15 PM
Updated: Sep 25, 2008 07:00 PM

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) -- Letters sent to the San Marcos mayor and City Council this summer reveal anger and sadness over a late-night traffic stop that led to the death of a beloved family pet.

Officer Paul Stephens pulled over Krystal Hernandez and Michael Gonzales for speeding in the early hours of August 5, as the couple rushed to a 24-hour vet hospital to tend to their dog Missy. When Stephens brushed off the couple's concern for their dog, the couple blamed the dog's death on Stephens. Mayor Susan Narvaiz eventually apologized for Stephens' remarks.

At the time, Narvaiz said plenty of hate mail had been filed with the city. Through an open records request, Austin News viewed that correspondence. The mail included emails, typed letters and handwritten notes. Those who took the time to contact the city, city leaders and the police chief said almost the same thing. The writers felt Officer Paul Stephens was wrong for his actions that early August morning.

The whole scene was caught on Officer Stephens' dashcam video. When that video was shown, it sparked angry emails to the city.


Excerpts from another article (link to is is on page linked above)

Mayor Narvaiz also spoke about the actions of a backup officer who tried to revive the dog.

"Officer Joyce Bender took the dog in her hands, tried to clear its airway and tried to get it breathing again," said Narvaiz. "She was unsuccessful and Officer Bender believed that dog was already dead."

He says Officer Joyce Bender did use that extra care during the stop when she rushed to the side of the hysterical passenger. Her tone was soothing while Gonzales' girlfriend was crying hysterically. At one point, Officer Bender tries to revive the puppy who police say was already dead.

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Oh-My-Gosh. I am so pissed right now. I cannot BELIEVE this a$$ officer... how completly insensitive, inconsiderate, and cruel. RIP, sweet little Missy... so sad that you had to go this way...