Case Details

Dog fatally shot by police officer Monson, MA (US) Incident Date: Tuesday, Oct 2, 2007 County: Hampden Local Map: available Charges: Misdemeanor Disposition: Alleged Alleged: Daniel E. McCarthy Case Updates: 3 update(s) available

Case ID: 12397 Classification: Shooting Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in MA (US) Animal was offleash or loose Login to Watch this Case

Barre Police Officer Daniel E. McCarthy, 31, of Monson, will be arraigned Friday on three criminal charges involving a dog he allegedly shot outside a house last week while off-duty, police confirmed yesterday.

The dog�s owner, Michael Morin of 26 Upper Palmer Road, Monson, said yesterday that Officer McCarthy shot the dog. Mr. Morin said he is particularly distraught because Officer McCarthy is a friend and is engaged to marry his niece.

�I was shocked,� Mr. Morin said while stacking cordwood outside his residence. �I love my dog.� He said the dog was resting in the house but earlier in the day was outside running around.

�Dan had tried to call me but I was unavailable,� Mr. Morin said, recounting the events of last Monday, the day Dakota, a 7-year-old male Siberian husky/German shepherd mix was shot. �Police contacted me within 45 minutes.�

Mr. Morin said the dog was shot in the left front shoulder joint. Mr. Morin said he was told the dog was shot from about 15 feet away. Mr. Morin said the dog is wearing a sling, has been prescribed pain medicine and antibiotics, and is scheduled to visit the veterinarian again on Thursday.

Last Thursday, Monson police issued a statement, based on an interview with Officer McCarthy, that said a single bullet struck the dog. The statement, which did not mention Officer McCarthy by name, said someone had gone to the house to pick up some paperwork and that a dog appeared and barked aggressively. The statement says at that point the person went to his vehicle, got a gun, returned to the house and shot the dog. The incident was reported at 12:19 p.m., according to the statement.

Mr. Morin, who was not at home when the shooting occurred, said yesterday that Officer McCarthy had gone to the house to pick up some sheet music.

Yesterday, Mr. Morin�s daughter, Kirstin Morin, 17, said her father told her that Officer McCarthy �must have felt threatened enough to go back and get a gun.�

Barre and Monson officials said Officer McCarthy is being charged with improper storage of a gun, discharging a gun within 500 feet of a dwelling and animal cruelty.

The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is involved with the investigation and the Hampden County District Attorney�s Office is prosecuting the case, police said.

Authorities said Officer McCarthy would be arraigned Friday and that he has not been arrested because there was no reason to do so. Last week, Palmer District Court Clerk Magistrate Benjamin C. Barnes said any matter involving Officer McCarthy would be handled at Chicopee District Court.

Barre Police Chief Erik J. Demetropoulos said he plans to review Officer McCarthy�s employment status with selectmen once the criminal case is resolved and that in the meantime he is suspended with pay. Officer McCarthy�s pay is $788 per week.

The chief said Officer McCarthy�s license to carry a gun was suspended and he has been ordered to turn in all firearms to authorities.

Mr. Morin said the incident involving Officer McCarthy �hasn�t affected our relationship as friends ... he is a good person.�

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References

Worcester Telegram - Oct 8, 2007

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