Dog shot, killed by police
Des Moines, WA (US)

Incident Date: Sunday, Nov 7, 2010
County: King

Disposition: Not Charged

Abuser names unreleased

The mayor of Des Moines joined a head-turning memorial for a dog gunned down by a police officer, and the mayor is among those saying there should be a bigger investigation into the officer's actions.

Dozens of people offered their support Sunday to the owners of Rosie, a Newfoundland who had gotten out of her fenced yard last week.

Someone had called to report she was loose in traffic.

By the time police found her, she was in Lora Perry's yard. Perry said she hadn't noticed the dog as she was doing yard work.

Perry said when she did see Rosie, the dog did not frighten her.

"She didn't appear dangerous; she appeared scared because she just stared at me. She was frozen, she didn't move at all," said Perry.

Perry said officers went into her yard with guns.

"After I heard the first shot is when I heard the dog yelping, and then I heard three additional shots after that," said Perry.

Des Moines police said Rosie had lunged at the officers.

According to a statement released by the Des Moines police, investigators are "gathering as much information as possible to try and determine how the events of the incident unfolded, and whether the shooting was within department policy."

But the mayor and other city leaders who were among the pet lovers at Rosie's memorial said that someone other than police should investigate.

"It's going to have to be reviewed. You know, there's an investigation that's going on within the department. We've discussed having a third party come in to do a review," said Mayor Pro Tem Dave Kaplan.

Perry and Rosie's owners want answers, too, and want to know why the officer fired when they said Rosie could easily have been contained in Perry's fenced yard.

One of the questions the department may consider is whether officers who answer dog calls should also carry tranquilizer guns.

A petition has been started that calls for the Des Moines Police Department to be held accountable for the dog's death. Those who wish to sign it can do so here:

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