Pawtucket police went to a home on Lyon Street just before noon to look for a man wanted on outstanding warrants. They asked the couple who lives in the house if they could go inside. The couple agreed, but asked if they could put their dogs away first because, according to the police report, they said one dog might bite them.
While searching the home, a 13-year-old mixed breed named Roxanne was let out of the bedroom where she was being kept. The dog went into the living room, where one of the officers was standing. Police said the officer felt threatened, so he shot the dog twice in the head.
The family said the dog that the officer shot never bit anyone and was walking around the house for several minutes before she was killed.
"All of a sudden, he pulled out the gun and he hit her blank, and the dog didn't even attack him," said John Russell, the dog's owner.
The family said the police apologized several times for shooting the dog and offered to pay to have the dog buried.
A police representative said that the shooting appeared to be justified because the officer thought he was going to be attacked. Daniel reported that the shooting will be reviewed by the police department. Case UpdatesA jury cleared a Pawtucket police officer on Friday in the shooting of a dog. Officer Joel Saccoccio of the Pawtucket Police Department, shot and killed the dog, 13-year-old Roxanne.
The dog's owners, John and Anita Russell, filed a lawsuit. But Friday afternoon, they lost in federal court. The jury cleared Officer Joel Saccoccio of wrongdoing after deliberating for a little more than an hour.
The Russells were seeking $250,000 in damages. They will try to get a new trial. | Source: News Channel 10 - Feb 18, 2005
Update posted on Feb 23, 2005 - 9:18AM |
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