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Stonepounder

(4,033 posts)
Thu Apr 5, 2018, 04:20 PM Apr 2018

We hear to much about police shooting dogs. Here is a MUCH better story.

Police Officer Soothes Dog Who Bit Him While On A Call For Service

http://www.reshareworthy.com/police-officer-soothes-dog-who-bit-him/#cFX5lyLzb8C5pYB7.99

A Texas dog owner is thanking a police officer for reacting with compassion rather than force after his dog bit him.

The incident occurred when Geoff Wightman called Round Rock Police after he noticed a neighborhood disturbance. The war veteran and father let the dispatcher know that his four-year-old son and his dog Jilaroo were at home with him.

Jillaroo is an Australian Shepherd with a protective nature. The loyal dog helped protect her home and family while Geoff served overseas. Officer Randall Frederick showed up at their door early and Geoff did not have time to secure Jillaroo away. So when Geoff’s son answered the door and Jillaroo saw the stranger approach the boy, she reacted instinctively and bit Officer Frederick on the leg. But instead of reacting aggressively, the cop attempted to soothe and calm Jillaroo.

What Frederick did impressed Geoff that he wrote a letter to the department to express how impressed and thankful he was by the officer’s actions.

Below is an excerpt from Geoff’s letter:

“Today, I needed to file a report about a disturbance and the dispatcher who took my report said the patrolman would call before he arrived. We have one dog (an Australian Shepherd) who is very protective of my family.

“When the officer arrived and rang the doorbell earlier than I expected, I ran downstairs, but my four year old son was already at the door with our dog. When my son opened the door and started to approach the Officer, the dog immediately put herself between him and the Officer and ended up biting the Officer twice on the leg – not viciously, but still creating bruises and breaking skin. The Officer was slowly backing up and trying to get her to calm down with outstretched hands. Luckily I was there an instant later and separated her.

“The Officer then proceeded to take my report about the issue I had originally called about in a very calm and professional manner. I asked him if my dog got him and he said “Yeah a little – I am sorry I should have called first.” (He did not need to call or apologize at all). Protocol necessitated he call in the bite (understandable) so that Animal Control could take a report and do a rabies vaccination check and the standard 10 day in home quarantine – BUT that’s where it ended. The Officer did not strike back against my dog during the incident, did not act disproportionately, he did not file charges or wish her punished, but instead said “She was just doing her job.”

“He was absolutely professional and trained and we thank him for it, as we know it could have turned out very differently. I am a grown man, a veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, and I am getting emotional over this. We love our sweet dog with all our heart but she is extremely protective, which is a quality in this day and age that is both bad and good with an outcome that always comes down to who is involved.

“I tried to look up news stories where Police Officers had been bitten by dogs to glean some perspective, but all I saw were terrible stories where dogs were being tased and shot by the Police – sometimes with very ambiguous circumstances.

“I want everyone to know that in Round Rock, TX we have some pretty darn fine police officers who do a job a lot of the time without much thanks or recognition. This little incident should show you what kind of caliber people we have protecting us and maybe they should get a little credit from time to time for doing things right that nationally seem to be very difficult. I will be shaking all RRPD Officers hands when I see them from now on.”


Appropriately, Officer Frederick has also been commended by his department for his handling of the situation. He received a Chief’s CHIP Challenge coin in recognition of his compassionate and intelligent response to the situation.




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We hear to much about police shooting dogs. Here is a MUCH better story. (Original Post) Stonepounder Apr 2018 OP
That is better than my friend's story. BigmanPigman Apr 2018 #1
I hope I don't get in trouble for saying this, Stonepounder Apr 2018 #2
I'm with you! BigmanPigman Apr 2018 #3

BigmanPigman

(51,430 posts)
1. That is better than my friend's story.
Thu Apr 5, 2018, 05:52 PM
Apr 2018

The cops shot and killed his dog when the police tried to go through the back yard to get to a different yard and the poor dog was just sleeping in the sun as she normally did. She saw them climb over her fence, ran and barked and they shot her without even calling for my friend to come and get the dog and tell her it was OK and to back off.

Stonepounder

(4,033 posts)
2. I hope I don't get in trouble for saying this,
Thu Apr 5, 2018, 09:40 PM
Apr 2018

but it seems like there are an awful lot of police officers that go around either a) scared of their shadows most of the time, or b) are just looking for something or someone to shoot to show that they aren't scared of their shadows most of the time.

(Note: there are also a vast majority of police who do a great job. But they have to quit defending the ones who are a disgrace to the force.)

BigmanPigman

(51,430 posts)
3. I'm with you!
Thu Apr 5, 2018, 10:17 PM
Apr 2018

I think the sheriff's are meaner than the police for some reason. So done said it might have to do with the fact that sheriff's are elected when the police aren't.

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