Law Enforcement Use of Service Weapons against Dogs Endangers Bystanders Unnecessarily

A rash of police shootings involving dogs has spread across the country, with the most famous example stemming from the serving of a search warrant at the residence of Berwyn Heights, Maryland Mayor Cheye Calvo’s home in which two of his personal pet dogs were killed by law enforcement.  The officers were cleared of any wrongdoing in the incident, however, the jeopardy of that these shooting placed bystanders could have been prevented.  In many other instances, officers have used their service weapons against animals in self-defense, however, when officers are aware dogs may be at a residence, precautions should be taken.  This is especially true during police operations like the one at Mr. Calvo’s home, which was a surprise search warrant intended to investigate an alleged marijuana smuggling ring.  The accusations were proven false, however, the deaths of two dogs and the jeopardy that these shooting placed in the lives of their human owners remains.

For individuals that have had their animals killed by law enforcement officers, there is a high level of frustration regarding how to deal with these wrongdoings.  In cases of ordinary citizens killing another’s pet in self-defense, tort law may cover the damages necessary to replace the pet, as well as potentially for emotional pain and suffering, and potentially, loss of consortium.  Likewise, police officers killing household pets should be held to the same standards.  If you or your loved one has had an animal killed by a law enforcement officer in the state of Maryland, contact tort attorney David S. Greene today.

...in Maryland and Washington, D.C.

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