ASPCA employees concerned NYPD takeover of abuse cases puts animals at risk

[DainBramaged]

A recent announcement by the ASPCA that it’s going to soon begin using NYPD officers to respond to animal abuse complaints has some people who work for the animal protection organization concerned about the welfare of New York City animals. The new development also has some independent animal protection advocates wondering how great a priority the prevention of animal cruelty will be to a law enforcement force whose primary mission is to protect people.

“I think this is going to hurt the entire situation,” said Phyllis Taiano to PIX11 News. She’s the founder and director of the animal rescue and spay/neuter organization Four Paws Sake NYC. ”There’s not enough help out there now,” she said, regarding her concern that the NYPD may be so thoroughly tasked with fighting crimes against humans that the department may be compromised in its new task of fighting animal abuse.

NYPD officers will start handling animal abuse calls next month in the Bronx, and by the first of the year, they’ll handle cases citywide. It’s a situation that sounds like having a large, well-trained force pursuing animal abusers, but people with deep experience protecting animals are not yet convinced.

“We don’t know,” said Taiano, “are the police officers going to be experienced handling animals? Are they going to go around shooting dogs?”

She was referring to an incident a year ago, in which an NYPD cop shot at a dog that ran at him while it stood by its owner, who had passed out. Video recorded by a passerby that captured the incident went viral, and the shooting sparked widespread reaction, much of it anti-NYPD, even though the dog, named Star, unpredictably lunged at the officer, and survived.

“We just pray that the NYPD steps up, and hopefully they train their police officers,” said Taiano.



Read more: http://pix11.com/2013/08/22/should-the-nypd-or-the-aspca-be-responding-to-calls-involving-animals/#ixzz2cnCEUzPk

[elleng]

1. 'hopefully they train their police officers'

[mopinko]

2. what could possibly go wrong?

[DainBramaged]

3. The video in the article is a perfect example

dog protecting it's owner. cops wearing guns and uniforms, what could go wrong?


I had a great little dog in the early 70's. Loved everyone, except cops. One would come in my store, he'd try to attack them.


Cops scare dogs.

[mopinko]

4. lotta cops hate dogs. especially big dogs.

and a lot of cops really, really hate the thought of shooting a dog. my dogs got lose once, and someone called the cops. i drove up about 2 minutes after they arrived, and the cop was still shaking cuz the boxer had challenged him at the sidewalk. she was in her own yard, which prolly saved her.
but she was one to give a couple big barks then see if maybe you had a treat, or wanted to pet her, so he at least figured out she didn't mean anything by it. but the cop was white as a sheet and shaking at the thought of shooting a dog. never had a cop be nicer to me.

[Curmudgeoness]

5. Well, dogs are great judges of character

most of the time. And some of the characters who become cops scare me.....not that I am talking about all cops, but I have known my share of cops who should not be carrying a gun. In fact, a few shouldn't be walking the streets. Let's hope that there are fewer of these kind of cops, and more of the good guys who respond to these calls.

[Chemisse]

6. They should provide training for certain cops (perhaps based on

testosterone levels) and just have them go out on these calls.

Too many cops are either looking for a chance to shoot off their guns, or are completely lacking in skills to cope with situations, other than drawing their guns.