Hearing on shooting of dog continuedBy Jessica Johnson (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Friday, September 7, 2007
A hearing set to determine the fate of a pit bull accused of charging a police officer and scaring kids last week has been continued until October. Witnesses and the dog's caretaker appeared in Mount Pleasant's municipal court Monday morning, but a continuance was granted, so the dog will be held at an undisclosed location until then. On Aug. 27, juveniles in the Greenhill neighborhood of Mount Pleasant called police saying that a pit bull had escaped from its cage at an Eagle Street home and chased them to a porch. The call ultimately led an officer to shoot the dog. Before the officer arrived on scene, he was warned about the dog's possible identity and was told to use caution with the dog and its owner, according to a police report. In reality, the dog that the juveniles said they ran from had arrived in the neighborhood only three days earlier, according to its caretaker., Lillie Charlton. "They shot the wrong dog," Charlton said. But the dog Charlton cared for was loose from its cage according to a police report. Charles Chamberlain, 16, one of the juveniles chased by the dog, said he was riding a skateboard to a neighbor's house when the dog came at him barking and growling. He ran to a friend's porch and the dog followed. "I didn't know what the dog was capable of," Chamberlain said. Chamberlain said he then grabbed a BB gun and aimed toward the dog's general direction. "I shot near it," Chamberlain said, "and it ran behind the house." He left for work, but not before calling the police, fearing what the loose dog may do. Chamberlain was gone by the time police arrived. "I didn't want him to get shot," Chamberlain said about the dog. Once the Mount Pleasant police officer arrived, he found the dog in a neighbor's yard. It ran back to its porch and the officer called animal control. While waiting for animal control, the dog charged the officer barking and growling. The officer fired his gun and struck the dog in the torso. The dog was treated by a local veterinarian and has a good prognosis. In addition to the nuisance animal matter, Charlton faces additional charges concerning the dog running loose and it not wearing a rabies tag. Judge Jack Sinclaire continued the hearing until Oct. 8. Reach Jessica Johnson at jjohnson@postandcourier.com or 937-5921. |
Article toolsSponsored Links |
|
Notice about comments: Charleston.net is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Charleston.net does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not charleston.net. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "suggest removal" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Full terms and conditions can be read here. |
Comments
This article has 7 comment(s)
|
Posted by MHA on September 7, 2007 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well said Harpo.
Posted by hawneena on September 7, 2007 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I didn't see anything in the paper, but someone said that TV news reported that the officer was fired.
They don't just fire police officers right off the bat for something like this.
This article doesn't say anything about the police officer being in the wrong except that he shot the wrong dog.
Hey, wrong dog or not, he shot one that charged him. What was he supposed to do, ask the dog for ID?
Posted by newbattleaxe on September 7, 2007 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I had a hard time getting homeowners' insurance because I own (and used to breed) Labrador Retrievers. Labs and Goldens are known for their mellow characters, right?
Check the statistics. Goldens are among the top breeds for unprovoked attacks. Labs are up there, too.
And, what the media call "unprovoked attacks" are rarely unprovoked. How many people, especially children, know to stand still and silent, with their arms at their sides, when a strange dog approaches them? Most people pull their arms up towards their throats and scream at best or run at worst. These are prey responses. Dogs are predators. Period End of story.
Posted by PoisenIvy on September 8, 2007 at 12:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Harpo's BUDDY should be reported for animal cruelty.
He probably BEATS his wife and abuses his kids too.
Any Man that needs to use abuse to gain control, isn't much of a MAN...
Posted by Mayor on September 8, 2007 at 3:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Show me one smart person that owns a pit bull. The name alone is synomonous with stupid. The whole breed needs to be abolished. We don't breed Hitler's anymore.
Posted by proud2bme on September 8, 2007 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mayor,
What ignorance you portray!!
Harpo,
your buddy needs to research the proper way to train a dog on aggressive behaviors. What he provided was cruelty to his dog. I doubt the behavior the dog displays now with eating will last and will most likely resurface in other activities.
Posted by jammer on September 8, 2007 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
they probably fired the cop because of his bad aim, how do you hit the torso of a dog when it's running at you head and teeth first?? that should have been a dead dog, head shot
needs more range time to get his job back
you prove your dominance of a dog by training them to listen to commands, on a leash where you can physically control them and keep them behind your lead... you know, like muzzies do with women... lol