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This is an example of everything wrong with America
Cops Tase a Veteran's Service Dog During an Unconstitutional Arrest for Panhandling
That day, a woman (maybe her name was Karen) phoned 911 to complain that Joshua Rohrer was "using [his] dog to get money." That dog was Rohrer's service animal, which he acquired for the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder he developed after completing a tour overseas in the U.S. Army.
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Where there's a will, there's a way. An officer with the Gastonia Police Department arrived at the intersection, told Rohrer he was breaking the law, and asked to see his identification. Rohrer disputed that he'd done anything illegal. The officer then requested backup, apparently believing that calling all-hands-on-deck to stop a panhandler was a prudent use of law-enforcement resources. The cops insisted that Rohrer show them a state ID, which he didn't have; he carried only his Veterans' Affairs card. According to eyewitness accounts, he was arrested shortly thereafter.
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An officer also tased his service dog, Sunshine, who ran off. Rohrer asked if they could retrieve her and bring her with him. "They laughed at me," he told Army Times. The dog has since died, having been hit by a car.
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Constitutional questions aside, Rohrer's arrest and the death of his dog speak to the practical consequences of such statutes. People with a monopoly on force are charged with upholding all the laws. Sometimes that isn't worth it.
https://reason.com/2021/10/28/cops-tase-a-veterans-service-dog-during-an-unconstitutional-arrest-for-panhandling/
That day, a woman (maybe her name was Karen) phoned 911 to complain that Joshua Rohrer was "using [his] dog to get money." That dog was Rohrer's service animal, which he acquired for the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder he developed after completing a tour overseas in the U.S. Army.
----------------
Where there's a will, there's a way. An officer with the Gastonia Police Department arrived at the intersection, told Rohrer he was breaking the law, and asked to see his identification. Rohrer disputed that he'd done anything illegal. The officer then requested backup, apparently believing that calling all-hands-on-deck to stop a panhandler was a prudent use of law-enforcement resources. The cops insisted that Rohrer show them a state ID, which he didn't have; he carried only his Veterans' Affairs card. According to eyewitness accounts, he was arrested shortly thereafter.
----------------
An officer also tased his service dog, Sunshine, who ran off. Rohrer asked if they could retrieve her and bring her with him. "They laughed at me," he told Army Times. The dog has since died, having been hit by a car.
----------------
Constitutional questions aside, Rohrer's arrest and the death of his dog speak to the practical consequences of such statutes. People with a monopoly on force are charged with upholding all the laws. Sometimes that isn't worth it.
https://reason.com/2021/10/28/cops-tase-a-veterans-service-dog-during-an-unconstitutional-arrest-for-panhandling/
I hope the cops and useless woman involved are haunted and miserable for life.
25 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
Donations mount after homeless vet’s dog died. Police in NC arrested him for begging.
The Charlotte Observer
By Joe Marusak
Updated October 30, 2021 3:09 PM
Link: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article255386706.html
Snips....
Former Kentucky National Guardsman Joshua Rohrer, an Iraq war veteran, and his service dog Sunshine walking in Gastonia, NC, in October 2021. Joshua Rohrer / Facebook
Great to see he's getting support from the community.......
The Charlotte Observer
By Joe Marusak
Updated October 30, 2021 3:09 PM
Link: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article255386706.html
Snips....
The veteran, former Kentucky National Guardsman Joshua Rohrer, was arrested at the scene and charged with two misdemeanor counts of resisting an officer, a misdemeanor count of begging for money and a solicit from highway infraction, Gaston County Jail records show.
Rohrer was freed the next afternoon on $3,000 bail, according to the records. Friends posted his bail, according to a GoFundMe site that had raised $13,250 by Friday afternoon from 350 donors. The money will be used for Rohrer’s legal fees, housing costs and mental health treatment.
+++
Gaston County Police later released a 911 call from a citizen who complained about a man “using” a dog to get money, WBTV reported. Rohrer denied the accusation during interviews with Charlotte-area news media. He told WBTV that he was merely walking at the intersection, “smiling, waving and chatting” with passers-by. “I fought for my country,” he told the station. “I fought for everybody’s freedom, and I feel like a freedom we should have is being able to walk where we please, as long as it’s not private property, no trespassing.”
Two witnesses to the Oct. 13 encounter told WCNC that officers “slammed him up against” a patrol car and handcuffed Rohrer. The witnesses said an officer Tased Sunshine after she nipped the officer’s boot, according to the station.
Rohrer was freed the next afternoon on $3,000 bail, according to the records. Friends posted his bail, according to a GoFundMe site that had raised $13,250 by Friday afternoon from 350 donors. The money will be used for Rohrer’s legal fees, housing costs and mental health treatment.
+++
Gaston County Police later released a 911 call from a citizen who complained about a man “using” a dog to get money, WBTV reported. Rohrer denied the accusation during interviews with Charlotte-area news media. He told WBTV that he was merely walking at the intersection, “smiling, waving and chatting” with passers-by. “I fought for my country,” he told the station. “I fought for everybody’s freedom, and I feel like a freedom we should have is being able to walk where we please, as long as it’s not private property, no trespassing.”
Two witnesses to the Oct. 13 encounter told WCNC that officers “slammed him up against” a patrol car and handcuffed Rohrer. The witnesses said an officer Tased Sunshine after she nipped the officer’s boot, according to the station.
Former Kentucky National Guardsman Joshua Rohrer, an Iraq war veteran, and his service dog Sunshine walking in Gastonia, NC, in October 2021. Joshua Rohrer / Facebook
Great to see he's getting support from the community.......
The dog did not run off after being tasered and get hit by a car. She was sent the county animal care facility then to a person Mr Rohrer designated. This led to her escape and death due to a traffic accident.
I didn't take the time to research the politics of the source I sited. I know and respect the opinions of others here regarding using such sources. I'm sorry for the concern or offense. I don't see much material difference between the story at reason.com and a few others. I've seen this source elsewhere on DU.
My main objection is the misuse of authority and resources on the part of police.
I'm open to discussion and editing the OP but I'm working today and my time is limited. Please reply here or DUMail.
Thanks 
