Family whose dog was shot by a cop settles for $77,500

[matcom]

<snip>

Almost two years after a North Carolina family's dog was shot during an infamous Interstate 40 traffic stop, the pet's owners will be paid $77,500 to settle a lawsuit against the city of Cookeville and the police officer who leveled his shotgun at the canine.

The settlement in the U.S. District Court case filed by James and Pamela Smoak of Saluda, N.C., was accepted several weeks ago and became public Thursday when documents were filed in court.

''That amount includes their attorney's fees, that's everything,'' City Manager Jim Shipley said.

''It was just right up against the trial date. They were still in some depositions, but it was not far from trial. Just all of a sudden the offers started kind of going back and forth and we settled,'' Shipley said.

The city manager said the settlement was not an admission of guilt on the city's part.

''We felt like we had a good case and we did nothing wrong. We admitted no liability in the settlement. In my opinion, it was a good economic decision,'' Shipley said.

http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/04/11/61792608.shtml?Element_ID=61792608

[short bus president]

1. That's fuckin' bunk.

Red-state justice would've been to let the victims take a shotgun blast at one of that fuckin' ass-pig's kids for no reason and see how HE liked it. Fuckin' thug redneck cracker-ass NC cops and the shit they get away with for wearin' a goddamned badge! Shotgun-totin' pigboy should be the first jackbooted motherfucker put up against the wall. And fuck the city - it should've been banc-motherfuckin-rupted for ever hiring that mostrosity of subhuman filth in the first place.

[LincolnMcGrath]

2. Don't hold anything back SBP

Tell us how you really feel! lol

[qnr]

3. Much as I agree with your feelings, I think it was Tennessee

Highway Patrol, assisted by city cops from Cookeville, TN -and the cop was one of the city ones. I'm just guessing for two reasons, the exit was 287 (it would have been closer to zero on the west border of NC -- and I can't see THP and NC city cops working together).

[short bus president]

4. You are correct.

I've lived in both redneck shitholes. Sometimes I get 'em confused. But a subhuman ass-pig's a subhuman ass-pig, regardless of borders. ;-)

[qnr]

6. Like I say, I agree with your statement, I've lived there too n/t

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

5. I saw the tape of this incident on the news ...

Absolutely horrible . Very sad .