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Tax dollars and a requiem for a police dog
By Gina Spadafori
January 6, 2008
Of all the things we spend our tax dollars on — insert a very long list here, including many a lot of us would agree are a waste of money — a memorial service for a dog killed in the line of duty doesn’t seem out of line to me.
The “it’s just a dog” crowd will write letters to the editor and grouse, but to them I say: Shut up. In fact, I say, shut the [insert expletive] up.
Memorials are never for the dead, but for the living. And honoring the bond between a police dog and his partner is important, as is taking note of the service these animals provide us.
They ask nothing of us. They get little from us, aside from some kibble and the chance to work next to a human partner. The least we can do is honor their sacrifice, and the work of the dogs and their human partners to keep us all safe.
Want to find some tax dollars for that? Give me the red pen and the budget. I’ll do it. And it won’t even take me a minute.
San Diego Union Tribune columnist Logan Jenkins agrees:
To a civilian, it’s probably hard to understand the bond between officer and canine partner. As is often said, these officers spend more time with their dogs than they do with their families. Formal funeral arrangements are being contemplated for Stryker.
[...]
Some will argue, of course, that an elaborate funeral service is too much hullabaloo, especially if even one tax dollar is spent.
Their point should be taken for what it’s worth.
Godspeed Stryker. And thanks, from us all.
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With the numbers quoted for dog ownership in America, do we underestimate the depth of feelings of the larger population for dogs killed while actually working on our behalf? Wouldn’t those same people agree to provide a decent funeral for these courageous animals who take the place of humans in their work?
Hint: From the article … “At the ceremony for Ranger – and another trained Malinois … 750 people paid their respects to the dogs, including 120 K-9 officers and their loyal furry partners who’d come from other departments in California and Nevada.”…
Hello. How many humans have this many in attendance at their funerals?
A clue lies therein.
Comment by Nadine L. — January 6, 2008 @ 10:41 am
To me … it’s about RESPECT. For the sacrifice of the dog and his partner, both.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — January 6, 2008 @ 10:51 am
I agree totally. Also, with the number of pet households up around the nation, I think you are going to see a lot more memorials for pets and other working animals.
There are times when I think things go a bit far, but then who am I to decide what works for people?
Pet memorials and funerals are on the increase. When I was researching, Blessing of the Animals (Sterling, 2007) I found only a few cemeteries that allowed humans and animals. But, I have been tracking the news and there are more and more pet specific funerary services AND now the mainstream human oriented facilities are beginning to see the advantage.
It is important to have ceremony—and you are right—they are for the living.
Comment by Diana Guerrero — January 6, 2008 @ 11:07 am
I wondered about the guy who leaped off the bridge and took this fine canine officer with him. In commission of that criminal act, a canine police officer was killed. I wondered if the guy was being charged with that death.
Being drunk isn’t an legitimate excuse when humans are killed as a result.
So…I searched and found:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/.....eweek.html
…hospitalized…Byron was arrested on suspicion of causing the death of a police dog, evading arrest and driving under the influence of alcohol, a police spokeswoman said…
Comment by Dennis — January 6, 2008 @ 11:42 am
There’s a reason those dogs carry their own badge and ARE officers of the law.
Their training is amazing. About twenty years ago, my father was awarded a commendation from the state for heroism when he ran down a rapist who was trying to assault the nice old lady across the street late one night. He heard her screams, ran outside, yelled at the rapist who was trying to break into the second story bedroom window, watched the man scale down from the second story of her house and intercepted him in the alley and chased him into the large park nearby.
When the police officers arrived, a canine officer was so well trained, that he successfully ignored my dad, disarmed and subdued the rapist until the human officers could run all the way into the park to assist.
Who knows what would have happened to my father had that canine officer not been there. My father was given the award for saving the dignity, if not life and property of our neighbor, but that dog most certainly ensured the health of my father.
If someone wants to complain about the expense of honoring a fallen canine officer, let’s just deny them service from all police officers next time their rear end is in a jam. Funerals are about the living, all of those people who are still alive and healthy today because of the service and dedication of those heroes.
Comment by Christopher — January 6, 2008 @ 1:00 pm
All the officers who are present at the funeral, many from other jurisdictions don’t see honoring a dog as frivolous, I bet. They are there to honor one of their own. A fallen hero. Another officer.
Comment by VJ — January 6, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
“Godspeed Stryker. And thanks, from us all.”
i second this.
we have a lot of working dogs here in NYC, and i must say, i do feel safer with them around.
Comment by straybaby — January 6, 2008 @ 2:24 pm
This is so sad. Click on this link, and then go directly under the photo and click on “Watch Video” to see the video of the officer carrying Stryker away in a body bag.
http://www.cbs8.com/stories/story.113331.html#
This is so heart wrenching.
Comment by Lynn — January 6, 2008 @ 3:09 pm
CA Penal Code 600 below. It looks like the offenses merit cumulative sentences. However, I would much rather that “death” to the person killing the dog be added.
600. (a) Any person who willfully and maliciously and with no legal
justification strikes, beats, kicks, cuts, stabs, shoots with a
firearm, administers any poison or other harmful or stupefying
substance to, or throws, hurls, or projects at, or places any rock,
object, or other substance which is used in such a manner as to be
capable of producing injury and likely to produce injury, on or in
the path of, any horse being used by, or any dog under the
supervision of, any peace officer in the discharge or attempted
discharge of his or her duties, is guilty of a public offense. If
the injury inflicted is a serious injury, as defined in subdivision
(c), the person shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison
for 16 months, two or three years, or in a county jail for not
exceeding one year, or by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars
($2,000), or by both a fine and imprisonment. If the injury
inflicted is not a serious injury, the person shall be punished by
imprisonment in the county jail for not exceeding one year, or by a
fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both a fine
and imprisonment.
(b) Any person who willfully and maliciously and with no legal
justification interferes with or obstructs any horse or dog being
used by any peace officer in the discharge or attempted discharge of
his or her duties by frightening, teasing, agitating, harassing, or
hindering the horse or dog shall be punished by imprisonment in a
county jail for not exceeding one year, or by a fine not exceeding
one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both a fine and imprisonment.
(c) Any person who, in violation of this section, and with intent
to inflict such injury or death, personally causes the death,
destruction, or serious physical injury including bone fracture, loss
or impairment of function of any bodily member, wounds requiring
extensive suturing, or serious crippling, of any horse or dog, shall,
upon conviction of a felony under this section, in addition and
consecutive to the punishment prescribed for the felony, be punished
by an additional term of imprisonment in the state prison for one
year.
(d) Any person who, in violation of this section, and with the
intent to inflict such injury, personally causes great bodily injury,
as defined in Section 12022.7, to any person not an accomplice,
shall, upon conviction of a felony under this section, in addition
and consecutive to the punishment prescribed for the felony, be
punished by an additional term of imprisonment in the state prison
for two years unless the conduct described in this subdivision is an
element of any other offense of which the person is convicted or
receives an enhancement under Section 12022.7.
(e) In any case in which a defendant is convicted of a violation
of this section, the defendant shall be ordered to make restitution
to the agency owning the animal and employing the peace officer for
any veterinary bills, replacement costs of the animal if it is
disabled or killed, and the salary of the peace officer for the
period of time his or her services are lost to the agency.
Comment by Lynn — January 6, 2008 @ 3:14 pm
Comment by Lynn January 6, 2008 3:09pm. Lynn is there another website other than the one you give. Unable to obtain anything with Firefox?
Comment by VJ — January 7, 2008 @ 8:57 am
I heard that a cemetery in Jacksonville FL (I think) will allow the cremated remains of a pet to be buried with the owner. Wouldn’t mind spending eternity with my group. The human-pet bond should be acknowledged and praised. God bless the fallen police dog. He deserves every tribute he gets.
Comment by Carol — January 7, 2008 @ 9:32 am
VJ:
Sorry for the late response.
Looks like that webpage that contains the link to the video to CBS in San Diego is now off their website. It showed what was no doubt Stryker in a large bag, being carried by a uniformed officer, with another officer walking along side. I can’t recall what was on the rest of the video, maybe the news reporters giving the story and perhaps photos of Stryker in happier days. So sad.
Comment by Lynn — January 7, 2008 @ 11:00 pm
Comment by Lynn — January 7, 2008 @ 11:04 pm
I believe there are a few states that will allow you to bury your pet in a human cemetery. It’s been a few years since I looked - I really should look into this again.
For those who will not consider cremation for themselves, there is a way to have your pet buried with you, I”m told.
Comment by Lynn — January 7, 2008 @ 11:07 pm