$262K settlement for owner of dog killed by police

[jpak]

Source: Palm Beach Post

The owner of a mixed-breed therapy dog that died after police stunned and shot it five times was awarded $262,000 for the 2012 incident.

The payment is part of a settlement with Commerce City, Colorado that avoids the case going to a federal civil court trial, which had been scheduled for later in the month, according to KDVR.

“I am happy that we have been vindicated,” Chloe’s owner Gary Branson told the Denver Post. “She deserved justice for what happened to her.”

The award is considered the largest settlement of its kind in the country’s history, according to the Animal Law Center.

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Read more: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/national/262k-settlement-owner-dog-killed-police/nqChN/

[niyad]

1. nothing can bring back their beautiful dog, and that trigger-happy officer is apparently still

on the force.

[benld74]

2. Where do these communities come up with the $$$$ to pay?

I'm not complaining they are paying. I'm just wondering is all.
Insurance? Tax money?
BUT the cop is still working!!!!

[niyad]

4. sure as hell isn't coming out of HIS salary.

[mike_c]

11. I'm betting their insurance company is paying...

...and likely preferred a settlement to the bloodletting that might have happened in court.

[valerief]

3. Good thing it was a dog. If it were a young black child, they'd get nothing. nt

[niyad]

5. a truly heartbreakingly accurate comment

[valerief]

6. I know. I didn't post that with a sneer. I posted it with anger, because it's true. nt

[niyad]

7. I know.

[CanonRay]

8. Aren't the taxpayers tired of paying settlement for stupid actions by cops?

People are going to have to stand up and say no more.

[christx30]

9. I feel fortunate that there was

a settlement of any kind. Usually there's just a few bucks of "go away" money, or the shooting is ruled justifiable, and the family gets nothing.
But until the law is changed and the cop has to pay personally for stupid misdeeds like this, nothing will change.
"That dog is barking at me because I'm screaming at the family, so technically I could shoot. But do I really want to risk losing my house? I'll have to figure out another way to resolve this."

[Scalded Nun]

10. No more taxpayer money should go to these never-ending settlements

I believe that, like so many other professions (doctors, etc.), police should be forced to carry liability/malpractice insurance as part of their conditions of employment. Police that behave properly in the course of their duties would pay lower premiums than the trigger-happy bullies. The 'bad' ones eventually will have to find other work due to not being able to afford insurance. It is obvious that police administrators won't lift a finger to 'police' their own. This does it for them.
Let them pay for the damage and destruction they bring on the populace.

[Liberal_in_LA]

12. k&r