Cleveland Police Force have faced a significant wave of criticism by animal lovers. An abandoned dog was found tied to a telephone pole and was shot by officers who were apparently too frightened to approach the animal.
Public Outcry Following Dog Death
Following a decision taken by the police and RSPCA, the Caucasian Shepherd was shot by a marksman. Following the incident, the public who understandably are questioning the decision and want to know why alternative measures weren’t taken. Some suggested that sedating the dog first and then rescuing it should have at least been considered.
The Public Don’t Trust the Judgement Made by Police
A member of the public who witnessed the scene described it as a “travesty”. They also said that other members of the public tried to prevent Cleveland Police from killing the animal. Several individuals offered to re-home the dog whilst another individual with experience in handling dangerous dogs offered to help but was denied access by the police.
According to eye witnesses, the dog wasn’t aggressive but simply scared. Apparently, it only barked in response to seeing the rifle used to kill it. As a response, the public have been left horrified and angry with police that the situation wasn’t handled differently. The incident was reported on the social media page of Dog Theft Awareness where hundreds of comments have been left.
Police Assure They Did Everything Possible
On the other hand, the police worked with the RSPCA and veterinary professionals to calm the dog down. This was unsuccessful, and the dog reportedly became aggressive. As the situation developed and time went on, the owner of the animal couldn’t be found.
Jason Harwin, Assistant chief Constable of Cleveland Police emphasised that the decisions taken were not taken lightly. Following a ‘six-hour operation’ where animal welfare experts were consulted, and all options had failed, the decision was made to shoot the dog. According to veterinary professionals, even if the dog was sedated and moved, it was too aggressive to be rehomed. As a result, ending the animal’s life was viewed as the “kindest course of action”.
Cleveland Police stand by their decision, stating that the dog would have been put down following failure to be re-homed. Additionally, officers were fearful of the welfare of the public and the dog.
Lack of Knowledge May Have Been a Factor
The shooting has resulted in a petition being launched by the public seeking justice for the dog. So far, 4,500 signatures have been collected out of the target of 5,000. Caucasian Shepherd dogs are a common breed in Russia and are well known to require specific training. It could be speculated that the owner didn’t realise this and abandoned the animal after being unable to handle it. However, the breed does have a fair reputation for being very reliable watchdogs and companions, with a loyal and gentle nature.