When it comes to dogs on the run in Waukegan, city police use deadly force. Rusty, an 8-month-old boxer-shepherd mix, was killed after being shot three times by a police officer. Police arrived on the scene after someone called about two "pit bulls" fighting. The owner claims Rusty and his brother, Oliver, were actually playing.
The officer said Rusty started to move toward him. Rusty was shot three times. If the officer had waited in his car for animal control to arrive, perhaps this bloody incident could have been avoided. At least, perhaps police should consider Tasering aggressive animals instead of shooting them dead, dead, dead.
Deadly force
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I find it quite funny that everyone thinks a dog on the loose is a "PIT BULL"...
There are plenty of other BREEDS out there that are more aggressive by nature like the Shar Pei.
I am a proud dog owner a BULL TERRIER... (Soon to be 2.)
Often mistaken for a pit bull... I must say that even though my dog looks like a pit he is definetly a cream puff and he goes up to everyone to check them out Or I should say that people like to come up to him and check him out. He is in no way aggressive; even to children 2 and under. But he is quite the watch dog in the house!!
I completely understand that if the dog was running aggressivly towards the officer. Maybe, there were other steps he could have taken... Like staying in the car, but if it was the middle of the night.. Animal control is not on duty all hours of the night!! I know this because my significant other is a police officer and he has picked up dogs (INCLUDING PITS) when people have called for dogs on the loose and animal control is not on duty.
But lets not blame the officer, if I were an officer of the law and a dog came aggressively at me I would have probably done the same!... If there is a need to blame someone... Blame the owners. If you love your animals as much as you say you do...Why are they out at all hours of night when it is FREEZING cold outside? Chalk it up and take responsiblity for your own neglegence. My dog would never be outside in the freezing cold and snow is piled so high that he could jump the fence. Be a responsible owner and walk your DOGS on a leash or allow them to be outside under your supervision!!!! after all you are the owner!!!!!!
Maybe we should send the Waukegan Police force out to North Chicago to take care of there cougar problem.
I am appalled that an officer or anyone else would shoot someones dog. A dog is a member of the family, and in most cases, is like one of the children. I myself love my dog, and would be absolutely devastated if my dog was to be shot and killed. If there is a potentially dangerous situation involving any animal, isn't that what animal control is for?
I clearly see this story from both points of view, however, shooting a dog simply because it is running at you is a terrible judgment to make. Had the dog actually bitten the officer, shooting the animal would make sense, but perhaps Rusty was just happy to see someone out at that hour. Maybe Waukegan PD should have dispatched an officer with more canine experience to deal with the call they received. I am the proud and responsible owner of a 3 year old chow/lab mix. To say my dog is intimidating to strangers is a huge understatement, yet she is a very sweet girl who loves everyone. I have a fenced-in yard and I walk my dog 2x's/day around the neighborhood. I don't agree with allowing your dog access via a doggie-door to the outside at night, but I strongly feel that Rusty was shot to death because he appeared to be a pit bull and it saddens me to know that Waukegan officers are letting their racist ways seep into the animal kingdom.