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Tuesday, July 08, 2014

Maryland State Police Press Release 07/07/2014

AGGRESSIVE DOG FATALLY WOUNDED BY TROOPER IN CECIL CO.
 
(NORTH EAST, MD) – A large pit bull that had reportedly chased a woman into her home was fatally wounded by a responding state trooper after it charged the trooper this afternoon in Cecil County.

At about 2:30 p.m. today, two troopers from the North East Barrack responded to the unit-block of Plum Shore Road, North East, Md., for the report of an aggressive dog on the loose. When troopers arrived, the complainant told them she was trying to get to her car from her home when the dog charged at her growling and barking. The woman fled to the safety of her home before the dog reached her. The dog was known in the neighborhood and troopers were shown the house where it belonged.

Troopers responded to the unfenced home and received no answer at the front door. They checked the rear of the home and found a sliding glass door standing open and damage around the wooden door frame. Troopers could hear a television on inside the home. Fearing a burglary may be underway, troopers checked the residence and found no one inside.

As they left the residence, the troopers saw a large pit bull across the street, matching the description they had previously been given. The dog took an aggressive stance and then ran directly toward both troopers. The dog stopped about five feet away and was growling and barking viciously. The dog then lunged toward one of the troopers. In fear for his safety, the trooper fired his State Police issued .40 caliber pistol, fatally wounding the dog and ending the threat.

Maryland State Police investigators responded to the scene to conduct an investigation. They interviewed multiple residents in the area who were familiar with the dog and said it was frequently loose in the neighborhood and was aggressive. Witnesses said the dog had charged toward them on previous occasions.

Cecil County Animal Control also responded to the scene. The investigation is continuing.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

This same type of scenario has happened, multiple times in my neighborhood with a dog of the same breed. Police have responded, animal control has responded...both talked to the animal's owner. Still, the animal escapes, wanders the neighborhood, bites at legs, intimidates others walking dogs. Why isn't something done with animal owners who can't properly take responsibility for their pets???

Anonymous said...

Your problem isn't unique to your neighborhood 7:42. This is happening nationwide. One thing we never hear about as well are other people's family pets these dogs are killing and maiming on a daily basis. We only hear of the human tragedies.
The local shelters need to get on board and demand stricter laws and ordinances concerning these dogs but they don't because they lack responsibility themselves. Shelters are taxed to the max with these nearly impossible to adopt dogs. Shelter workers are sitting around wondering where their next dollar is coming from instead of doing what would be responsible and calling for action and being proactive.

Anonymous said...

was the dog resisting arrest too?

Anonymous said...

Don't tasers work on dogs?

Anonymous said...

Great job Trooper.

Anonymous said...

"Anonymous said...
Don't tasers work on dogs?

July 8, 2014 at 10:52 AM"

Tasers for whatever reason don't work well on dogs-I think it's like less than half the time, I've heard. Stun guns work much better. The difference between the 2 is a taser shoots a projectile attached to 2 cords. Stun guns have 2 probes that shoot an electrical charge between them. You can start shooting the stun gun before a dog gets close as well because in 50% of the cases tested, the dog will run because of the noise of the high frequency sound waves which only the dog can hear.

Anonymous said...

If I find someone's pit bull in my yard, I will shoot to kill, no questions asked. No "here boy" "nice doggie" crap. No flyers or looking for the derelict owner. But I might call the owner and ask them to get the carcass out of my yard. And Joe, if you don't post this, it doesn't matter. I'll still shoot to kill a pit bull found in my yard.

Anonymous said...

10:52-The barbs on a Taser are designed to grab on to a person's clothing. So the answer to your question is not usually. This is why they also don't work on a lot of people as well. The barb has to affix itself to something.

Anonymous said...

12:38 PM

and you will go to jail

Anonymous said...

Under what law/statute/ordinance 1:18? I'll answer for you-NONE. MD law is pretty clear (and trumps any town/municipality or county laws) when it comes to when it is lawful to kill a dog. It even goes as far as to say there is no civil liability and damages otherwise. You are way off base. A dog is on your property, you kill it, you aren't going to jail much less will you even be arrested. You can not even be held sued civilly if the dog was trespassing, so to speak.