Police constables shot dogs
Allentown, PA (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, May 8, 2003
County: Lehigh

Disposition: Not Charged

Persons of Interest:
» Greg Balliet
» Richard Seeds

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Lehigh County Humane Society officials will pursue animal cruelty charges against constables who shot and killed two dogs while serving a warrant May 8 inside an Allentown home.

Although Constables Greg Balliet and Richard Seeds are not being charged by police over the incident, Humane Society officials believe they have a strong case of animal cruelty against the men and expect to file charges this week with a district justice.
 
''We had an exhaustive investigation into the incident,'' Bruce Fritch, president of the Humane Society, said during a news conference Monday. ''I think we have a decent case to prosecute. We have a lot of credible witnesses and people who can testify about the dogs' demeanors.''

Balliet and Seeds shot at three dogs inside 312 S. Franklin St., where they were trying to serve a warrant on Jeremiah Hartman for unpaid parking tickets, police said. The constables contend the dogs were growling as they ran downstairs toward them, while residents inside said the dogs merely were being curious.

Several children also were in the home during the gunfire, residents said.

Humane Society investigator Orlando Aguirre did not want to reveal details about the investigation, but said that an estimated 11 shots were fired at the dogs. One of the dogs survived after being shot five times and is recovering after surgery.

''In my opinion, maybe no shots should have been fired,'' Aguirre said. ''We'll take that to court, go from there and let the magistrate decide what was best for these animals and what kind of judgment should have used.''

The constables could face a fines and/or jail time if found guilty of animal cruelty.

Balliet, who could not be reached for comment Monday, has said Seeds fired at the dogs first. Two of the dogs then ran upstairs and Balliet said he fired at the third dog when it was charging him in the kitchen.

Seeds has not commented about the incident.

The case is being closely followed by Mayor Roy Afflerbach and city Councilwoman Gail Hoover, who believe it shows the need for constables to be supervised by some type of state authority.

Hoover said she'll introduce a resolution to council on Wednesday, seeking such attention from the state Legislature.

''This has to be looked into,'' she said after attending the Humane Society's news conference. ''The lack of supervision, the lack of accountability that constables have. … It's a very scary thing.''

Animal lover Kelly Smith of Whitehall Township was at the news conference with petitions she made in hopes of getting Balliet and Seeds ousted from their positions.

''I was outraged when I heard they were not going to be charged ,'' she said. ''I feel should be held to the same laws they're supposed to uphold.''

The Humane Society continues to collect donations for the surviving dog's medical bills and legal fees associated with filing the charges, officials said.

Case Updates

References

• The Morning Call

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