Lancet Jades
03-04-2004, 09:39 PM
Frankfort police defend dog's shooting
http://www.indystar.com/images/clear.gif
http://www.indystar.com/images/clear.gifAssociated Press
March 4, 2004
FRANKFORT, Ind. -- A police officer responding to a call about a possible intruder shot and injured a homeowner's dog. Now, the dog's owner says he expects the police department to pay for the dog's medical bills.
Dennis Barnes, whose rottweiler, Jack, is recuperating from two gunshot wounds, said veterinary bills for his dog have reached $700. "I'm going to push the entire issue for them to pay it," he said.
A neighbor called police Monday when she saw a man inside Barnes' garage. The man turned out to be a friend waiting for Barnes to get home from work.
Capt. Andrew Reiss, who responded to the call, said the dog aggressively ran toward him as he approached the home in the city about 50 miles northwest of Indianapolis.
"He didn't growl or bark. He was in a dead run right at me," Reiss said. "I didn't know if it was the potential burglar's dog or the homeowner's."
Reiss said he fired two rounds at the dog when it backed him against the fence.
The only way the city would pay Jack's vet bills, Police Chief Jim Skinner said, is if Reiss is found to have been negligent. Skinner said he supports Reiss' actions.
Barnes said his dog is not aggressive.
"The only thing he's wanting is someone to pet him," he said. He doesn't have a mean bone anywhere."
http://www.indystar.com/images/clear.gif
http://www.indystar.com/images/clear.gifAssociated Press
March 4, 2004
FRANKFORT, Ind. -- A police officer responding to a call about a possible intruder shot and injured a homeowner's dog. Now, the dog's owner says he expects the police department to pay for the dog's medical bills.
Dennis Barnes, whose rottweiler, Jack, is recuperating from two gunshot wounds, said veterinary bills for his dog have reached $700. "I'm going to push the entire issue for them to pay it," he said.
A neighbor called police Monday when she saw a man inside Barnes' garage. The man turned out to be a friend waiting for Barnes to get home from work.
Capt. Andrew Reiss, who responded to the call, said the dog aggressively ran toward him as he approached the home in the city about 50 miles northwest of Indianapolis.
"He didn't growl or bark. He was in a dead run right at me," Reiss said. "I didn't know if it was the potential burglar's dog or the homeowner's."
Reiss said he fired two rounds at the dog when it backed him against the fence.
The only way the city would pay Jack's vet bills, Police Chief Jim Skinner said, is if Reiss is found to have been negligent. Skinner said he supports Reiss' actions.
Barnes said his dog is not aggressive.
"The only thing he's wanting is someone to pet him," he said. He doesn't have a mean bone anywhere."