My sympathy goes out to the police officer and his family. TOO OFTEN shots are fired when alternative solutions to a problem should be exercised. To kill a member of the K9 police force and family pet is disgraceful.

yes some people love there dogs to much dressing it up treating it like there kids that stuff but u have to have no heart not to love an animal that u live with i have had 3 dogs my entire life i loved them all but this wasn't just a normal dog it was his partner he kept his owner and other police officers safe there are hundred maybe thousand of strays the officer was probably just letting the dog out to do his thing when he saw the guy with a gun and was protection his owner also what protocol what do u know he was off duty and live next door its not like he just moved in yes at the time he was a civi but a cop is a cop on and off duty k-9s have a mental switch when there at home and when there are at work ask any k-9 officer any dog will try to protect its owner this site does not have the hole story u can get it here individual.com/story.php?story=107475132

if a dog never attack other animals it will never attack other animal unless provoked most trained pets dont chase chicken don't bad mouth an officer a cop this dog deserves respect for all the good things it has done he has ether found drug and got the off the street or criminals again the k-9 and the officer deserve sum respect

this farmer was problem batting the stray dog with out thinking there are other dog that live near this man is an blank sorry but that is my opinion

The problem with some so-called "dog lovers" is that they see their dogs as humans and treat them like humans instead of the animals they are. It puts the animals and humans at risk. People that really love their dogs don't treat them like they are people.

Since the "officer" did not follow protocol and provide proper identification, all bets were off. I assume the "officer" was doing this on his own time, making him a civilian at the time.

Sorry. Those dog lovers obviously hate other animals. Assuming the dog is a German Sheperd (as most police dogs are), it was perfectly capable of harming or killing pretty much any animal that farmer could have had assuming he wasnt raising elephants.

I cannot say for sure based on what was in this article whether or not shooting this dog was justified, I can only speak from experience. If a strange/threatening dog were on my property threatening (actually attacking, not just there) myself, my kids, or my animals then I feel shooting is justified. We must protect our children first. However I also make a point of knowing my neighbors animals, and if my neighbor was a police officer with a K-9 unit dog I would make particular effort to be familiar with that dog. If it was any neighbor's dog I would secure myself, kids, animals if I can and call the owner FIRST! A K-9 unit dog is worth far more in their ability to save HUMAN lives than any CHICKENS! It really sounds to me like something else was going on behind the scenes. As one who has seen threatening animals be shot and as one who has seen the results of a "neighbor" trying to "help" (shot my mom's dog because it got in his way of shooting a stray rottie on my mom's property) it is a double edged sword. Everyone gets hurt in the end. It would just be easier if people stopped to think first before they shoot.

Lisa,

You are exactly right. The dog was a police officer.This k-9 was not only this police officers partner but he was also a family dog.

Something needs to be done. The farmer needs to be investigated. That's how serial killers start by killing animals.

My deepest sympathies to the officer and his family.

Come on people less we forget this is Police Dog a hero the same as his handler and rest of the force .This is a well trained police officer !This makes you wonder what this dog ran in the direction of this land for . You all should have respect for this K-9 I am sure if one of your family members happened to be in trouble and this Dog stepped in risked his life for your family member you would not be saying such things.And let just say this Police officer k-9 died in the line of duty for saving a family member. Police are police on or off duty such as this police k-9 was. How dare this man call a family to tell them there dog was on his land come get it and the family not knowing the dog was killed by the man brought his young child.This is a sick man. Isn't there a law anywhere that states that you can not fire a weapon 50 feet from a residents or road. I hope to God that this police force starts a all out investigation of this man.This k-9 was not only this police officers partner but he was also a family dog. But most of all this is a Police k-9 a HERO . God bless this k-9's handler and his lose.

I've been watching too much TV? I really think you need to read the comments. Sounds like this so called farmers other neighbors have had it with him.

From what I understand he has a habit of doing this to the neighbors dogs, which I might add is illegal. It is only legal if the dog was causing harm to farm animals.

Yes, if a stray dog is causing harm to another animal or child on your property, that is your choice. Shooting a dog for the simple pleasure at getting back at your neighbors is illegal and crazy. His loose pet chickens were not being harmed.

Thats the problem now days some people are too quick to pick-up a gun and shoot. They could care less if it was their neighbors family pet or police dog.

Calling their neighbor before shooting the dog would be the right thing to do. Instead of calling them after he killed their dog.

Like I said he needs to be locked-up before his next target is someones child. You did not sign your comment or use your first name sounds to me like you could be the farmer trying to justify killing the dog.

im sorry law or not u have no wright to shoot this guys dog he had to know it was his neighbors dog u didn't need to shoot his dog call him to get his dog and then sue him for your loses it that easy if it was a kid who was attack or a stray dog that was attacking your chickens it would had bin different but it wasn't. this was someones pet family member partner k-9 are a lot of money more then chickens they can cost 5000 to 20000 dollars maybe even more depends on what they are trained for

if he just has chickens and not using them for extra income what ever i dont think u can call it a farm that like say i have a zoo with a cat dog and a bird had to add that im just a stupid redneck from pa so what would i know

On the face of it and lacking any further details in the reporting (thanks again WBOY), it seems to me there's possibly some history here and I'll bet money the farmer shot the dog simply because he could, not because it was necessary.

dear debbie

it sounds to me like you have been watching to much television. what about when the stray dog eats the small child i say police dog or not its my property my choice shoot it!!!!!!!!!!!

I have had dogs on my property. I used to try to chase those dogs off of my property. I got bit while chasing those dogs off of my property. I called animal control, 2 days later they show up. Animal control told me that they couldn't do anything unless the animals were currently on my property. Needless to say, I can guarantee that one of those animals will never be on my property again.

I'm a dog lover and I hate to see dogs killed but if the owner doesn't keep thier animal on thier own property they can expect something to happen to it.

Have you seen what a dog can do to a calf? Or other farm animal? Have you seen the pain and suffering that causes to the animal as it's ripped apart by a dogs teeth? Are you saying it would be humane to sit by and watch that happen? I don't think you've thought this through very well.

I am sorry but when did it become "ok" for people to just shoot an animal for being on your property? (State law or not!!!) We have many other methods in this state for dealing with strays. Did anyone consider calling animal control? If they had, the dog would have been identified and returned to the officer. How insane is it that people think shooting their OWN animal is even ok? I think it is outrageous. If that is how much you care for your animals then maybe you shouldn't have gotten the animal to begin with! Next time, drop your animal off at a shelter of advertise it for free in the paper. My family has a farm. Yes, we deal with other animals coming onto our property. But we find a more humane way of dealing with it.

A dog can kill a whole flock of chickens in less time than it would have taken the farmer to try to get ahold of the owner of the dog. Many a farmer has had to shoot his own dog for harassing or killing livestock. Doesn't mean we like it, but it's a fact of farming.

Regan , Your right about 'If you have food you have control' The farmer had livestock 'FOOD' so he had control and killed the dog. Last year my newborn foal came up missing (DOG) hint ,hint !!! My horses come before dogs .I say SHOOT if you have to us FARMERS are trying to make a living like the rest off you .Good luck farmer.

To the people who have made posts since my last posting, I merely was reporting facts and commenting on what was contained in the article. Many of you have made conjectures and speculations on what type of person this farmer is. I don't know this person, so I cannot make a comment on what type of person he is. To neighbor, one word of advice, if you lab is full blooded, is it assessed (in the Tax Office) as that? What I'm getting at is that if it is not and if someone would shoot it and then you try to sue that person civilly, then you more than likely would not get the full replacement or valued monetary amount that you are seeking, of course if you lab is full blooded and is registered and assessed as that, you will probably have to pay a higher tax on it. On more thing, when is someone going to start bashing the "Big and Evil" deer hunter for dropping a dog that is chasing a deer? What is the difference between that and killing a dog who is harassing domesticated livestock?

I have had several pets killed because they were chasing chickens or breaking up the nests.They were my families chickens and they didn't make money off of them all the time,but they did eat the eggs and sometimes sold them too.While it is heartbreaking to lose a pet,it is really no different than killing an animal for eating your garden.This story would never have even made the news if the dog hadn't been a k-9 officer.I'm just greatful that it seems to be an outright killing,not a gutshot dog coming home.

I think the so called farmer is a loose cannon. Sounds like he enjoys killing the neighborhood dogs. Only after killing the dogs does he call his neighbors to come and get the dogs.

He feels no remorse for killing the dogs. He could have just as easily called his neighbor to come and get the dog or have called the police.

I think he should be arrested for killing a police dog. He knew who the dog belonged to and he knew exactly what he was doing.

If he has a history of killing the neighborhood dogs, he needs to be stopped. What is next some inocent child?

That is how serial killers start by killing animals! Sounds like he has a good start already. He needs to be locked-up.

Debbie

When my neighbors threatened to shoot a stray dog that we were trying to catch and take care of (someone dropped him off), I called the Human Society and was told that they can not shoot a gun within 50 feet of the road or within 50 feet of any dwelling so if the shooting occurred in either of these boundaries, he did break the law. I understand the farmer protecting his animal but if he knew who the dog was, then he should have contacted the owner first. Either way the owner should have had a chance to get the dog before shooting. We don't know all the circumstances so please just be with both families as I am sure the farmer is feeling some remorse, if he has a heart.

Regan, you commented that these dogs help catch the bad guys. FYI, dogs do not know who the bad guys are. It is the police who control and command the K9 to attack whom they perceive as the bad guys. I know because I was attacked by a K9 that was commanded by the handler to bite me. The dog doesn't know I was an innocent victim.

This "farmer' is NOT a farmer per sae, his chicken runs loose, they are NOT in pens, they are out in the open. He does not derive income from these animals he has as pets. This is not the first time this idiot has killed neighbors dogs. If his chicken is considered livestock, then so is my lab, and if he ever shoots it, I will in return do the same to him. I'm protecting my 'livestock' from harm, yes?? He knew full well what that dog was and who he belonged to. The last time he shot a dog, he called the owners right after and told then to come get their dog he just shot it. Now tell me, could he have done the same before killing it and they could come get their family pet? YES This man had to go retreave his pet w. his small kids at his side. I promise you this, his 'livestock' won't see to much of a future. WE ARE ALL TIRED OF THIS AND HIS ACTIONS. AND, there has to be a law he broke by shooitng a firearm into the open w/ house nearby. This is B.S. I am so angry over this. KHARMA, my friend..KHARMA.

I feel so sorry for the animal and his fellow officer. I too had farm animals. If there was a dog taunting my animals I called animal control.

I do not believe that dog should have been shot and I think that charges should be filed against the farm owner. I wonder how he would feel if one of his farm animals wondered into someones yard and the homeowner shot them.

He must be heartless! Karma has a strange way of returning full circle.

Debbie

My thoughts and prayers are with the dog and his family, who are going through a tough time now.

Even if the dog is obedient, he is still a dog and will still chase other animals and livestock. Even if the dog is just "playing", it can still be a harm by startling the other animals. Also, the farmer may have another source of income but that does not mean he shouldn't defend his livestock. I just bought a $2400 calf and if any unknown animal came into my field and started bothering it, offering the dog food would be that last thing on my mind.

Maybe that farmer was making his money off more then livestock. I am sorry for the loss of the officers dog, but if the dog was harassing the animals (for no reason) then he was not a very obedient K9.

Several remarks: to Ms Foster running or taunting livestock would fall under chasing or, worrying livestock in the WV Code. I think everyone is forgetting that livestock is not cheap, and if say a cow or a horse was running away from a dog that was taunting it, and fell into a groundhog hole, causing the livestock to break a leg, the farmer or would very little recourse but to put down a valuable and expensive animal, one that he was counting one to make money with. To Cejae, police dogs are highly obedient and highly trained assets for law enforcement use, but most police K-9's are trained to recognize only their handler's voice and even then most k-9's will only respond to a command in another language (other than english) and yes under certain circumstances they can be classified as Police Officer. Besides, how would the farmer have known that this dog was a police k-9?

I thought K-9s were considered Police Officers. Maybe not, but I would have thought if the farmer would have tried to stop the dog it would have been possible with his obedience training or called his handler before pulling the trigger. Glad it wasnt some kid who wanted to desturb his animals.

I don't know if there are any coyotes around there or not. I do know that they look similar to a large dog, such as a German Shepard. The farmer has every right to protect his livestock. Chances are some or most of his income is derived from the animals. And for all you dog lovers who say that if the dog was only chasing and irritating the animal, and that that doesn't cause any harm. A stressed or crippled animal is not going to fetch much money at the stockyard.

It is a sad day for dog lovers. If the dog was trying to harm his animals in some way I could understand, but if he was just running and maybe taunting them, then that isnt just cause for shooting him. I have 2 large dogs inside and they play fight all the time with each other. Yes they do sometimes get loose and run in the neighborhood we live in. My neighbor a few houses down shot at my dog with a B-B gun, just because he ran through his yard. They dont live there anymore.

What does the law read about a farmer that puts a gate on the fence line (w/o permission), then lets his cattle roam on property that is not his (agian w/o permission)?

Just for the general wealth of information, especially to all the animal lovers who are thinking about responding to this article. West Virginia State Code (specifically 19-20-16) provides that "A person may kill a dog that he may see chasing, worrying, wounding or killing any sheep, lambs, goats, kids, calves, cattle, swine, show or breeding rabbits, horses, colts or poultry outside of the enclosure of the owner of the dog, unless the chasing or worrying be done by the direction of the owner of the sheep, lambs, goats, kids, calves, cattle, swine, show or breeding rabbits or horses and colts or poultry." Also According to the article, no charges are to be filed. The Farmer was in the right to put this dog down. Sorry PETA, but the law is on teh Farmer's side.

The farmer had every right to shoot the dog who was harassing his farm animals. State law says it's legal to shoot a dog who is harassing a farm animal. I have had dogs come onto our farm and kill our farm animals. A dog who is harassing a farm animal is also capable of killing one.

it is not the handlers fault nor the farmers fault a dog can get loose it happens all the time and it costs the farmer money if it is hurting his livestock

Come on markus9898 have you ever actually owned a dog before? Sometimes they get out no matter how hard you try to keep them in the house or in their pen. But that doesn't give anyone the right to shoot and kill them just for being on their property. Now if the dog was a threat or was trying to kill one of the animals or a person that's another story. It doesn't sound as if this was the case here. I think the property owner should reimburse the students who raised the money or foot the bill for a new police dog at the least, a fine might also make him think twice before pulling the trigger so quickly the next time.

poor dog!!!! Shame on the trigger happy farmer. I'm sure there could have been another way to handle the situation. That police dog may have saved many human lives if it had been allowed to LIVE!!!! what a loss.

Poor puppy!!! Don't you think we are too hasty to pick up our guns and shoot at anything that is on our property? My neighbors dog gets loose all the time. I sure don't shoot at him. I just get some food and coax him back on to his yard and tye him back up. Simple and easy!!!! If you have food you have control. Come on people these dogs do us a service and help catch the bad guys. That person should have to pay the tens of thousands of dollars to replace him!!!!

sounds like the handler ought to be be responsible for replacing this dog,lots of money and work goes into these dogs and for a person to let these dogs get out is dangerous to everyone involved esp the public! shame on u!