Sad story - Rottweiler shot and killed

[Eros]

Sweetheart’ dog shot dead by Dover police
Update 7:41 pm

By JAMES MERRIWEATHER
The News Journal
03/15/2006

DOVER — A 1-year-old Rottweiler named Cujo, described by those closest to him as a sweetheart, was shot dead in a Morris Estates street today by a Dover police officer.

Police reported later that Cujo was killed because of aggressive moves toward two police officers who responded to a complaint that a pit bull was running loose in the south Dover neighborhood.

But Cujo’s owners – 65-year-old Camilla Mitchell and 38-year-old Tonya Smith, who share a residence on Evergreen Drive – said the dog was gentle enough to serve as a pony of sorts for Mitchell’s 19-month-old daughter, Brooke, two days ago.

Police said Cujo and a companion, Bear, a 12-year-old Akita with an ailment that has rendered his hindquarters all but useless, both were overly aggressive toward the officers.

Cujo was killed by a single shot fired by Patrolman Michael Konnick, police said, while a second officer, Patrolman Peter Martinek, a trainee, fired two shots that missed Bear.

But one of the wayward shots pierced the back and side windows of a Chevrolet Tahoe owned by 45-year-old Lorri Martin, who lives two doors over from Mitchell and Smith. The bullet pierced a screen of Martin’s house, and she says an officer retrieved the slug from an inside window sill.

After losing their dog, Mitchell and Smith received two $100 tickets for keeping vicious dogs, two $25 tickets for keeping unlicensed dogs and two $25 tickets for keeping unleashed dogs, but they say they intend to challenge the fines.

See complete coverage Thursday in The News Journal and at www.delawareonline.com.

[Barbara Ryan]

What a heart breaking story. I tend to believe the eye witness instead of the police!

[jakesfostermom]

I cannot access the article on line, but where were these dogs when the officers fired? Were they loose - maybe I missed reading that? I can't blame an officer for firing on an aggressive LOOSE dog of any breed.......if they felt they were at risk of being attacked. I also have to say, no real flame intended here - I hate like heck a dog was killed, but why do people name their dogs "Cujo" or "Killer" or "Shredder" and then refer to them as sweethearts? Our breed has such a reputation........and it just seems that names like these can't help......particularly with them in the news named this way........

[Barbara Ryan]

It seems the dog warden lured the dog out of another neighbors yard, petted him then pepper sprayed before the police shot the dog!(1yr.old still a puppy)

[RottieGirl86]

How horrible I really think animal training is neccessary with officers.

[Rene Allegrini]

Truly this is a very sad story. However, had the owners been more responsible in the first place, a one year old puppy would not have had to pay with it's life. After loosing the dog, the owners were fined for keeping unlicensed, unleashed, and vicious dogs.

Allowing both the 1 yr old rottie and a 12-year-old Akita with an ailment that has rendered his hindquarters all but useless to roam freely through the neighborhood was an accident waiting to happen. These people shouldn't have any dogs.

[Curt]

I agree with rene that these people should not be allowed to own any type of dog .People like this is what gives our great breed a bad reputation for not being responsible for there dogs.I do feel bad for the dogs though.
Later Curt

[observer]

Here's the full story following that link in the first post...

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/p...603160361/1006

He "was 'walking' toward them in a threatening manner?"

It is all too true that the whole thing would have been avoided if the dogs had been properly secured.

[Eros]

According to a witness account, the rottweiler and akita didn't seem like a threat. How is an akita dragging its hind legs a threat?

[smileygirl]

Unfortunately, it doesn't matter if the dogs were "friendly" or not. These were two large powerful dogs and I'm sure there are leash laws. I know there are where I live. Instead of the impression they are here to procect us, this is one instance where the owners did not protect their dogs. First by not having them on a leash or contained, second by not having them liscensed!! Too bad for the puppy....one will never know what a great dog he could have been....Tina

[Dugganmom]

Very sad story! I think that police need training to help them with the dogs they come in contact with. The ramsey county sheriff dept. here in minnesota do have k-9 rottweilers.

[gnwhite]

the solution is simple. stop letting you friendly pets out!!
around here its alwase someones baby that causes all kind of havoc.
I feel for the dog but you cant expect someone else to deal with your dog in a familiar mannar.

[Krimzon]

Why did they have to shoot first? I seriously doubt that the rottweiler was any threat to more than one armed police officer in a car. They could have just waited for Animal Control to come pick up the dogs. Why would the police lure out the dog/s though only to pepper spray them and shoot them? That doesn't seem very likely. I can understand the owners getting tickets if the dogs were loose and maybe if they had already attacked someone to shoot them but this story seems like it has way too many holes to make one decision or another. Plain simple fact is that you should know where your pets are at all times, I treat my dog(s) like my kids. If I don't see them or hear them then I need to be looking for them. But at the same time I don't think there is any need to shoot an animal unless you have taken all other options to either get away from it or have given Animal Control the chance to catch it, hopefully before it hurts anyone. Very sad though. I can only imagine the grief I would have if some police officer shot my dog. Just my 2 cents on the subject.

[kerry]

Very, very sad...The rotty stigma continues....I had an officer once pull a gun on my love after a routine traffic stop...he was just in the back seat..sitting there smiling..and when the officer saw him...he freaked and pulled a gun..put it right in his face..screamed..."RESTRAIN YOUR DOG!!!!"....he didn't even stand or bark until he saw that the officer was aggressive...A simple "no" was all that was required..as usual....I was thinking....you are the one that needs restraining......I was almost afraid to even take him out in the car after that.....The discrimination should be pointed to the owners who don't take proper care, or responsibility....

[gonetothedogs1970]

They pepper srayed the dog!! Well no wonder it was acting aggressive. It was totally defenseless not to mention in pain at that point. Those cops should be sued.