Police Kill Suspect Who Fatally Shot Police Dog("Ranger," in line of duty) [View All]

[DeepModem Mom]

It's my understanding that a canine "officer," on duty, is considered an officer like any other.


LAT: Long Beach Police Kill Suspect Who Fatally Shot Police Dog
From a Times Staff Writer
A paroled armed robber who shot and killed a police dog died in a hail of police gunfire in Long Beach this morning.


"Ranger"


The suspect, identified only as a known street gang member with a long criminal history, had fired a gun at officers during a foot pursuit before the final confrontation, Long Beach police said today....

***

The 4-year old dog had been on the force for two years.

"Ranger was doing exactly what he was trained for," (police spokesman Sgt. David) Cannan said. "As close as we get to these dogs, they have a primary mission: we put them in a threat area so we don't have to expose an officer."...

***

"They order him to surrender and he does not respond," Cannan said. "He's told that if he does not surrender, a police dog will be sent in and he will be bit. He does not respond. We deploy the dog. He shoots the dog. As soon as he fires, the officers on scene responded in kind and fired on him," Cannan said.

"They fired in response to being fired upon, knowing he had already fired at officers."...


http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-100305shoot_lat,0,7065227.story?coll=la-tot-promo&track=morenews