IOWA -- Des Moines police officials said Wednesday a supervisor would review the actions of an officer was responding to complaints of a dog trying to attack people.
Des Moines Police Sgt. Scott Raudabaugh said Officer Jeff Robinson’s supervisor had received information about the case but hadn’t completed the review, which is standard procedure in this type of case.
According to police, Robinson was responding to reports of a dog attacking pedestrians in the 1200 block of East 32nd Street around 3 p.m. Officers tried to herd the dogs back into a fenced yard, but as Robinson went to shut the gate one of the dogs allegedly rushed at the officer, who fired a single round from a shotgun, injuring the animal.
“All I can say is it’s unfortunate the officer had to shoot the dog,” Raudabaugh said. “But the officer was responding to a complaint of a dog trying to attack several people. One of the dogs tried to attack the officer.”
Des Moines resident Cindy Brady said she walked by the house shortly before the incident occurred and was almost attacked herself.
Brady was walking to the fairgrounds with her husband, when they passed by a fenced backyard. She could hear barking inside, but said she assumed the gate would be closed.
Instead, the dogs darted out at the pair as they walked by, she said.
“They were baring teeth, they were aggressive. They weren’t intimidated by us at all,” she said. “We both turned around to face the dogs. My husband said to get behind him.”
What saved them, she said, was a group walking across the street that diverted the dogs’ attention.
According to police reports, at least five witnesses said the dogs had been attacking them and they were afraid of being mauled. One man reported the dog had trapped him in his car, while another said one of the dogs turned on him when he tried to keep it away from children.
But the dog’s owner said Tuesday she’d never received a complaint that Peaches, an 8-year-old boxer and beagle mix, has bitten or injured a person.
Bobbi Allison said she didn’t think Robinson was justified in shooting her dog, especially since the dog was apparently back in the yard when it happened.
(Des Moines Register - August 15, 2012)
