Pet Owners Sound Off On Facebook Over Dog Killings
BIRMINGHAM (WWJ) - It's a growing concern for many pet owners - family dogs killed. Not by a thief breaking in or by a speeding car - but shot by police. And now, dog lovers are sounding off on Facebook to bring awareness to the problem.
"Mr. Policeman Don't Shoot My Dog" and "Justice For Buddy" are two of the Facebook pages bringing awareness to the growing number of dogs that are killed by police. Terry Boyle hired an attorney after his 5-year-old Lab mix named Buddy was shot and killed by Birmingham Police who say the dog was aggressive. But witnesses say Buddy never posed a threat.
"I just could not believe that they would shoot and kill my dog. It's so unnecessary," says Boyle.
Jill Fritz of Michigan's chapter of the Humane Society of the United States says proper police training is key. Says Fritz, "You're basically going onto the dog's property and the dog is most likely going to be wanting to protect his property. And so it's just understanding basic dog behavior and learning to read their body language."
