Just my two cents...being a Phoenix native and having listened to this story a hundred times now. As I understand the REAL story, the officer was called away to deal with an emergency concerning his son. What amazes me is that everyone is so eager to persecute this man not knowing all the facts. The American media is one of sensationalism and for all rights and purposes no longer SERVES it's people, it only creates scenarios in order to get ratings and awards. You can't honestly think that a man that has had a partner, four legs or not, is not suffering for this mistake. Having been attacked on all sides for his senseless mistake would create anger and bitterness in the most rational of men. After a time, I would probably be telling the media to stick it up their backsides each and every time they shoved a microphone in my face and asking me stupid questions like "Are you surprised by the backlash you are getting on murdering your dog?" The man is suffering, his whole family is suffering. It's easy to say it's something none of us would ever do but in the stressful, high paced world we live in it's just not possible to predict anything anymore. I forgot to pick my daughter up at school once. Not a big deal compared to a death but at the time I couldn't believe that I had forgotten. I felt more horrible than anyone could imagine. I kept saying what kind of mother am I? No one cares that I was trying to handle a million and one things in that day. All I can say is that my heart goes out to him, his family and his fallen partner. I'm sure he is missed more than any of us know.

I agree, so sad for all.I am sure he did not eat diner knowing his dog was dying in the car.He must have not realized what was bruin. I feel really bad for him ,that is the worst thing a K9 handler could possibly go through...killing his partner.

I feel worse for the dog. For whatever reason it happened, the dog must have suffered an excrutiating death. At least on this board, I don't see anyone trying to "persecute" the cop. As soon as you show me where the news media treated him unfairly I'll be happy to join you in lambasting the media.

I work in retail; unfortunately, we've had to announce over the PA system (every year) about dogs in parked cars.

 Quote: susan tuck

As soon as you show me where the news media treated him unfairly I'll be happy to join you in lambasting the media.

Just unwrap the paper and open it up.

I don't know about you but I have seen hundreds of misquotes, inaccuracies, embellishments and down right BS printed in the paper about incidents that I have personally been involved in, or had first hand knowledge of the facts. It is almost sport for writers to convict cops in the press.

Every article that I have read on this particular event seems to just be stating fact. You may be tired of reading articles that vilify police (I am too), but to vilify the legitimate press is just as unfair. The story has been picked up because the public has expressed interest in the story not because the press is trying to paint all officers who handle dogs as evil.


I have no clue what really happened. I highly doubt the officer either forgot the dog was there or didn't care enough to check on the dog during the 12 hours. I know for a fact all police dog handlers care a great deal for their dogs, so obviously there is more here than meets the eye. My point is the press are not the ones passing judgement or speculating on what happened, the general public is. Put the blame for that BS squarely where it belongs - the general public.

I have had the opportunity to know a few k-9 handlers over the past couple of years and these handlers leave the cars running in order to keep the dog comfortable. GA is very hot in the summer. The handlers in my town also have some type of alarm on their person to let them know of a failure occuring in the car. It would be interesting to know what safety features, if any, were in that squad car to protect the animal.

Hi Suan,

Here's my problem. The Sheriffs department says the investigation is continuing. If thats so, then why did they release ANY information about the handler's activities prior to the completion of said investigation? That alone is a violation of police policy concerning internal investigations which can get any officer fired.

The information given to the press is very damning, and of course the media will print it. Any reporter with morals would have waited until the investigation was complete, but no, they have to beat the next guy to the story. So now you have all this speculation when the facts aren't even all there. If it turns out the handler did nothing wrong, I doubt you'll see a retraction or correction by the paper, or if there is one it will be buried in the back.

You say the press is not passing judgement, the public is. Well, I guess when all the public gets is omissions and a fraction of the facts in any case, what do you expect is going to happen? It's a predictable outcome that the press is well aware of.

The officer was arrested. That information is public knowledge. The charging document used to support probable cause for the arrest is also public information. Somehow I don't see the arresting officer putting the handler's personal activity prior to the death of the dog into a probable cause affidavit.

If the media acquired the court documents then I don't have a problem with them reporting the documented facts of the case. But to take a morsal of information (illegally leaked or provided IMO) and print that information before all the facts are known, then I hold the media responsible for the way the public judges this handler.

If the handler is a P O S, and he is guilty, then I say let him pay the penalty. At least wait until the facts are all there before reporting them. Every adult in this country knows the media holds court in the press. How many times have you heard of a change of venue for a trial because of this? It happens all the time.

Howard

After reading your post, I am inclined to agree with you. Perhaps in light of today's climate and how readily people jump to criticize law enforcement, it would be a much better policy to wait until the investigation is completed before reporting a story regarding the arrest of a law officer, especially since people might be inclined to be suspicious of an officer who has been arrested regardless of whether or not the officer is eventulally cleared. Law enforcement officers jobs are hard enough without additional unfair public bias.

I don't think this should apply to civilians, the police blotter is a legitimate news source.

 Quote: susan tuck

After reading your post, I am inclined to agree with you. Perhaps in light of today's climate and how readily people jump to criticize law enforcement, it would be a much better policy to wait until the investigation is completed before reporting a story regarding the arrest of a law officer, especially since people might be inclined to be suspicious of an officer who has been arrested regardless of whether or not the officer is eventulally cleared. Law enforcement officers jobs are hard enough without additional unfair public bias.

I couldn't agree more, Sue and Howard.