Chicago police must pay 330k for killing dog in home raid

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/chicago-police-must-pay-330k-killing-dog-home-200148841.html

By Liz Goodwin | The Lookout – Fri, Aug 19, 2011

A federal jury says Chicago law enforcement must pay $330,000 to a family after officers shot their dog during a home raid that turned up no illegal activity.

Thomas Russell, then 18, opened the door to his home in February 2009 to find police officers with their guns drawn. He asked if he could lock up his 9-year-old black labrador, named Lady, before letting the officers inside. The Chicago Tribune describes what happened next:

Police refused the request and came into the house, the lawsuit said. When Lady came loping around the corner with her tail wagging, Officer Richard Antonsen shot the dog, according to the suit, which alleged excessive force, false arrest and illegal seizure for taking the dog's life.

The cops handcuffed Russell and his 16-year-old brother, and eventually charged Russell with obstructing their operation. He was found not guilty. According to NBC, the jury awarded $175,000 to Russell, $85,000 to his little brother, and $35,000 each to the brothers' parents. The officer who shot the dog owes $2,000 in damages, and his supervisor owes $1,000, according to NBC.

A law enforcement spokeswoman told the Tribune that the officers were protecting themselves.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

[SMOKE 1,426]

good. those cops should have pineapples shoved up their arses & be forced to do community service at an animal shelter too. every pet i've ever had has been like a family member to me.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Good for them.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Why are police allowed to have guns in Chicago and good people are not?

good. those cops should have pineapples shoved up their arses & be forced to do community service at an animal shelter too. every pet i've ever had has been like a family member to me.

Pineapples?

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

A law enforcement spokeswoman told the Tribune that the officers were protecting themselves.

Gotta love that part of the article. Cops covering for other cops.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

These cops should have to pay all of the money out of their own pockets. Take away everything they worked for their entire life: house, car, bicycles, even clothes. Fire them from the police corps and lock 'em up in jail. Once they are released, take 'em to a back alley and beat 'em with baseball bats. Once they are almost dead, pour gasoline over them and set them on fire. Film everything and show the video to cops to be, as an educational tool and a warning.

"Justice" the "just" Bob way. Can you imagine that I'm an animal rights advocate who hates cops?

COPS = Criminal Organization in Public Service.

Legal disclaimer:

Of course, since I cannot condone illegal activity here, let's call the aforementioned my "I had a dream" scenario.

[웃 910]

These cops should have to pay all of the money out of their own pockets. Take away everything they worked for their entire life: house, car, bicycles, even clothes. Fire them from the police corps and lock 'em up in jail. Once they are released, take 'em to a back alley and beat 'em with baseball bats. Once they are almost dead, pour gasoline over them and set them on fire. Film everything and show the video to cops to be, as an educational tool and a warning.

"Justice" the "just" Bob way. Can you imagine that I'm an animal rights advocate who hates cops?

COPS = Criminal Organization in Public Service.

Legal disclaimer:

Of course, since I cannot condone illegal activity here, let's call the aforementioned my "I had a dream" scenario.

Were you ever employed by a guy by the name of Adolf?

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Chicago has had a history of having the dirty cops.

[SMOKE 1,426]

Pineapples?

in Adam Sandler's movie 'Little Nicky'. satan was doing it to hitler...

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

These cops should have to pay all of the money out of their own pockets. Take away everything they worked for their entire life: house, car, bicycles, even clothes. Fire them from the police corps and lock 'em up in jail. Once they are released, take 'em to a back alley and beat 'em with baseball bats. Once they are almost dead, pour gasoline over them and set them on fire. Film everything and show the video to cops to be, as an educational tool and a warning.

"Justice" the "just" Bob way. Can you imagine that I'm an animal rights advocate who hates cops?

COPS = Criminal Organization in Public Service.

Legal disclaimer:

Of course, since I cannot condone illegal activity here, let's call the aforementioned my "I had a dream" scenario.

The officer who shot the dog should also have criminal charges raised against him and be let go. I do agree whoever approved this raid should have their wages garnished so that the city doesn't have to pay the bill.

[slim 1,514]

Why are police allowed to have guns in Chicago and good people are not?

Excellent question. The other thing I've always wondered is why you need an armed force of 13,500+ patrolling your streets in order to feel safe.

The way I see it, that's like being occupied by an army.

The officer who shot the dog should also have criminal charges raised against him and be let go. I do agree whoever approved this raid should have their wages garnished so that the city doesn't have to pay the bill.

The vast gray area involved in searches is hard to quantify and needs to be dealt with on an individual basis. Sounds like they got it right this time but it's hard to say, "if this happens, this should be the punishment."

As much as I hate to say it... the benefit of the doubt has to go to the LE side. They're trying to do the right thing.

[Zero Sum 305]

Don't live in a city of millions with lots and lots of poverty if you don't like the police.

As for this incident... truly sickening. The officers involved appear to be on their way out of a job- as I heard from inside the police department.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Excellent question. The other thing I've always wondered is why you need an armed force of 13,500+ patrolling your streets in order to feel safe.

The way I see it, that's like being occupied by an army.

The vast gray area involved in searches is hard to quantify and needs to be dealt with on an individual basis. Sounds like they got it right this time but it's hard to say, "if this happens, this should be the punishment."

As much as I hate to say it... the benefit of the doubt has to go to the LE side. They're trying to do the right thing.

If they had guns, they could have defended themselves against the police and the dog would still be alive.

(In theory, that would have been their legal right except in Indiana...)

Edited August 22, 2011 by Sousuke

[slim 1,514]

Don't live in a city of millions with lots and lots of poverty if you don't like the police.

You're right about that. Whenever you live in a city of millions with lots and lots of poverty there will undoubtedly be lots and lots of government waste.

If they had guns, they could have defended themselves against the police and the dog would still be alive.

If you'll read closely, it says the boy opened the door for them. Rule number one with the police is never open the door.

If you are stupid enough to open the door, you should be doing so to exit instead of allowing them inside.

(In theory, that would have been their legal right except in Indiana...)

I would've absolutely gone bonkers over that ruling if I was still a Hoosier.