Justice For Bear Bear Watch: Dog Shooter Cop Charged

[MrScorpio]

Charges are filed against an off-duty officer who shot and killed dog in park

County Executive pushing to stiffen penalties

By: Brian Kuebler
SEVERN, Md. - Off duty federal police officer Keith Shepherd now faces two misdemeanors for the shooting death of Bear Bear the Siberian Husky.

It is a move Shepherd contests he had to make even as he called 911 moments after he pulled the trigger.

"I am an off duty federal police officer,” you hear Shepherd say on the 911 tape.

“I just discharged my weapon to a dog that was attacking my dog.”

“Did you kill the dog? asked the operator, “No,” Shepherd responded, “The dog is still alive. I shot it in the hip to keep it from attacking my dog."

The husky would later die and the investigation initially dismissed, which sparked a public outcry in Severn, MD.

Two weeks later now and the Anne Arundel State's Attorney has slapped Shepherd with an animal cruelty charge and discharging his weapon.

"My family and I are very pleased that charges were brought against the gentlemen in question," said Bear Bear’s owner Ryan Rettaliata.

Rettaliata was happy to hear the news today but in the end does little to help his loss.

http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/region/anne_arundel_county_/charges-are-filed-against-an-off-duty-officer-who-shot-and-killed-dog-in-park

[niyad]

1. thank you for the update on this.

[hlthe2b]

2. I find this welcome news... but sad that it took the national outrage

to get the officials to act against this rogue cop--particularly since they'd already originally announced no charges would be forthcoming and had refused to even identify the officer.

Now, assuming he is convicted, I hope the judge is appropriately harsh. I then hope the family sues the hell out of him. And, I hope the few dog haters who have posted on this story--who were all too ready to take this asshole's side and assume his bizarre story to be true-- learn something.

Thanks, Mr. Scorpio for the update. I haven't walked by my own pup without stopping to hug her, since reading the original story. It was THAT upsetting to me.

[bobburgster]

3. Good that charges were filed.

Let's face it, if I shot another dog because it got in a fight with mine there would be no debate.....I would have been arrested.

[Stinky The Clown]

4. This a local story for us. There is a (good) growing outrage regarding animal cruelty

As this story was breaking, a family in Baltimore City found a pit bull in their yard. The dog's nose had been half cut off (apparently cut off, as in human, as opposed to bitten off, as in fight injury).

Even as the cop departments in the area are facing budget cuts, departments across the region are adding or considering adding "animal cops" and all are training patrol officers in basic animal cruelty issues.



The "federal officer" who "discharged his personal weapon" was not authorized to carry any weapon while on duty. From what it seems like here, this guy was typical of lots and lots of copwannabes. Even his speech pattern and cadence on the 911 tape makes that crystal clear. He thought he was completely immune and in the right.

Right now he faces a 9 month max and a few thousand in fines.

[hlthe2b]

5. He should face a major civil suit as well...

While the court would not likely provide for much in terms of value for the dog (unfortunately)--perhaps there could be punitive penalties.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

6. Thank you for the update. Excellent news. Jail the SOB.

[xchrom]

7. Recommend

[slampoet]

8. the investigation initially dismissed = The procecutor got caught letting him off

[RamboLiberal]

9. K&R - I've been following this case - glad to hear

IMHO that fed officer was way out of line. His Shepherd had no injuries.