When FL resident Christine Bonelli was robbed, police suggested she get a dog. Because, you know, a dog will scare away strangers, protect the home, etc. So she took their advice and got a Foxhound mix named Harley.
Harley was sitting in a chair in his fenced-in backyard last week while his owner was indoors. Two police officers approached the backyard, searching for someone related to a nearby call. A neighbor called out to warn them there was a dog back there and they shouldn’t go in without the owner but they proceeded. Harley did his job – trying to scare away the intruders and protect his home. He did not bite anyone. One of the deputies tried hitting the dog but, remarkable as it may seem, that didn’t help the situation. So he shot Harley, whom he describes as “an aggressive Pitbull”. Twice.
Harley survived but vet care costs money:
Within hours, Bonelli created a Facebook group called “Justice for Harley.” Unemployed for two years and already struggling with bills, Bonelli thinks the Sheriff’s Office should have to foot the medical costs.
The Sheriff’s Office however sees things differently:
Lee County Domestic Animal Services fined Bonelli $268 for what they called, Harley’s “Threatening/menacing” behavior.
Oh hello, that’s why she got the dog. Because you guys told her that intruders would be scared off by the dog’s threatening behavior. I guess you were half-right anyway.
Thanks Clarice for the link to this story.