Police officer left K9 in hot car

Deb and Ed M wrote:

Code2High wrote:
Actually the state AG could probably still weigh in though I don't know what the odds are.
I will say that as suspensions go, that is a very long one. Not saying it is sufficient, but it in personnel terms it is not a slap on the wrist. It is the equivalent of a fine anywhere from six to fifteen thousand dollars. For a lot of people these days it could mean losing a house. Further, it is likely to severely damage his chances for advancement in the future.

Not to mention the death threats he is no doubt getting.

I understand what you are saying - but I agree with others: If *I* killed a bomb-sniffing dog, one of the charges that I would surely be hit with is "killing a police officer". Which is way worse than killing an ordinary person....there's lots of prison time tacked on for doing that.

But now that a police officer has killed another "police officer" through negligence; that "police officer" is now just a dog. Or as Mark puts it (depending on definitions to that jurisdiction) - personal property.

Back in my area about 3 years ago 2 fellow police officers were in a training excersise and playing around with there service weapons, they had forgot to switch out the live rounds back to the dummy rounds. Long story short one officer shot and killed his fellow officer and it was swept under the rug so fast your head would spin. All of this because the officer that pulled the trigger was the son of the county sheriff. Absolutely no charges were ever filed, the officer in question is still a police officer. Someone tell me whats wrong with this picture! It made the news at the time all over the midwest but today it is a memory, all very sad but very true.

Spike88 wrote:
last month here in nova scotia a very well known phototgrapher left his dog in the car for 3 hrs with all windows up while he went to a holistic convention. by the time people saw the dog and got him out it was too late. he was convulsing and passed. charges are pending. it was 40 C with humidity that day

OK - now THERE'S a guy who should be drawn and quartered ;-)

last month here in nova scotia a very well known phototgrapher left his dog in the car for 3 hrs with all windows up while he went to a holistic convention. by the time people saw the dog and got him out it was too late. he was convulsing and passed. charges are pending. it was 40 C with humidity that day

The story below the dog story has a interesting title. People show more empathy to dogs than adults.

Agreed it is not "enough." Just pointing out that while not enough, i is still a substantial fine.... Much higher than the fines someone posted for abuse/neglecr.

Drawing and quartering would be "enough." Maybe.

Code2High wrote:
Actually the state AG could probably still weigh in though I don't know what the odds are.
I will say that as suspensions go, that is a very long one. Not saying it is sufficient, but it in personnel terms it is not a slap on the wrist. It is the equivalent of a fine anywhere from six to fifteen thousand dollars. For a lot of people these days it could mean losing a house. Further, it is likely to severely damage his chances for advancement in the future.

Not to mention the death threats he is no doubt getting.

I understand what you are saying - but I agree with others: If *I* killed a bomb-sniffing dog, one of the charges that I would surely be hit with is "killing a police officer". Which is way worse than killing an ordinary person....there's lots of prison time tacked on for doing that.

But now that a police officer has killed another "police officer" through negligence; that "police officer" is now just a dog. Or as Mark puts it (depending on definitions to that jurisdiction) - personal property.

Actually the state AG could probably still weigh in though I don't know what the odds are.
I will say that as suspensions go, that is a very long one. Not saying it is sufficient, but it in personnel terms it is not a slap on the wrist. It is the equivalent of a fine anywhere from six to fifteen thousand dollars. For a lot of people these days it could mean losing a house. Further, it is likely to severely damage his chances for advancement in the future.

Not to mention the death threats he is no doubt getting.

A slap on the hand. But I will change my mind about appropriate punishment for the officer: I think Mark is right and the guy should buy the department a new bomb dog. And then do a lot of community service, starting at the animal shelter...

OP here, thank you dturn for posting the update. It seems that the police chief considers this case closed, and for better or worse, I guess we should do the same. As a society, the lines between what is legally right and morally right have begun to blur. As such, the standards that should apply to everyone may only apply to those on certain sides of the fence. Thank you all for your honest intrest and opinion in this thread. I think its important to remember that this case was unique and that there are plenty of instances where the cop saves an animal and the story has a happy ending. Unfortunately, this one does not.
Take care,
Dave

Seems 'they' have chosen to ignore the law>>>>>

South Carolina
http://www.lpitr.state.sc.us/code/t47c001.htm
S.C. Code Ann. 47-1-10 et seq.
Ill treatment of animals, generally, is defined as: “knowingly or intentionally overloads, overdrives, overworks, ill-treats any animal, deprives any animal of necessary sustenance or shelter, inflicts unnecessary pain or suffering upon any animal, or by omission or commission knowingly or intentionally causes these things to be done.” Each offense is a misdemeanor and is punishable by imprisonment for up to 60 days and/or a fine of $100 to $500 for the first offense; imprisonment not exceeding 90 days and/or a fine up to $800 for a second offense; and imprisonment up to 2 years and/or a fine up to $2000 for a third or subsequent offense.

The officer 'knowingly' left his partner in the car.......and it died!