I have a 10 year old Beagle. She is a great pet. Luckily we don’t live in Chesterfield, VA:
Chesterfield police say an Animal Control officer was in the area and in the middle of putting a pit bull in his truck when Clifford [10 year old Beagle] came up to the officer. Davis [the Beagle’s owner] said her dog has never bit a person or an animal. But Chesterfield Police Captain Steve Neal said Clifford was aggressive and attacked the pit bull. Attempts to separate the two said Neal were unsuccessful.
[…]
“He pulled the gun out and shot the dog. Shot him in the hip. The dog fell in the street. He couldn’t get back up and then bent down, and put the gun to the dog’s head, up against his head, and pulled the trigger,” said Davis.
So I guess, after the first shot, which apparently left the senior Beagle unable to get up, the AC officer perceived him as a continuing threat to the Pitbull and felt compelled to shoot him in the head too. Right in front of the family, including a 13 year old girl who had grown up with the dog.
[A]n internal investigation is underway to determine whether the Animal Control officer […] followed the law and procedure.
Well gee, I hope not.