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Hunter Podschwit is one lucky dog. Or one really unlucky dog, depending on how you look at it. Unlucky to be shot point-blank in the head by a police officer, certainly, but extremely lucky to survive the shooting, yes?
On Christmas Eve, one of Nancy Podschwit's West Chicago neighbors called the police, saying one of Podschwit's dogs had gotten past their electric fence. When police arrived, apparently one officer went to Podschwit's side door, where he encountered Hunter, a 5-year-old German shephard/lab mix.
"The dog approached him and it kept approaching," said Bruce Malkin, West Chicago deputy police chief. The officer "kept backing up. The dog kept approaching, like he was going to bite him."The officer initially tried pepper spray, Malkin said. "I guess it had no effect. Then he had to resort to his service weapon."
The officer fired once at Hunter's head, but the bullet went through the dog's sinus cavity and out his right ear. Ayee. Police initially told Podschwit that her dog had died, but when she arrived at the vet to collect his dog-mains, she found him alive. His sinuses might be messed up, and his hearing in that ear may be affected, but otherwise the pooch is doing fine. Podschwit blames a "rookie" cop, has already been in touch with her lawyer, and hopes that the police will at least pay for Hunter's vet bills. [Daily Herald, CBS 2, S-T]
Photo via Best Friends Network
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Would the PD have to pay if the dog had died?
I feel like this is one of those weird moral situations like "Mike punches Joe in the chest. Unbeknownst to Mike, Joe has a debilitating heart condition. As a result of the punch, Joe dies. Should Mike be held responsible?"
That dog was maybe totally attacking the police officer.
I think it is hilarious the dog lived. But I don't think the city should have to pay for the dogs meidcal bills. I am pretty sure Mark Geragos is representing the dog.
Guess what if a dog is coming at you and pepper spray has no effect shooting it seems reasonable. I hope the city tells her to control her dogs.
Spav1, in your situation Mike is responsible. I can't figure out if Mike is the dog or the cop, though.
The right thing to do is pay for the dog, but I love dogs. I hope I never run into that cop, either.
I meant like legally. Do you think he should be held for murder?
In any case, I just meant that like, it is wrong for dogs to attack people, but also, it seems distasteful to make a dog suffer from a badly aimed gunshot.
I don't think the cops should have to pay.
Is Hunter's owner a christmas elf?
I tend to side with the cops, but in this case it seems like the cop was too quick to shoot.
I bet that dog was just about to be done with law school.....
Good question Every 654,
but I can't tell because her hat is not in the picture, so she could be a Keebler Cookie elf as oppossed to a Christmas elf.
I bet the dog had a bone that looked like a gun- self defense from Chicago's Finest. I am surprised the dog turned out to be only part black....
actually K Funk, note the blue bandana on the dogs right paw, clearly the officer recognized the dog as a gang banger
What the hell else is a dog suppose to do when a stranger approaches "his" home? Lick him? Maybe the owner should apologize for her dog's non-recognition of a police uniform/badge.
Too hard to tell from the facts presented here. How can you even begin to make an assumption?
"I bet the dog had a bone that looked like a gun- self defense from Chicago's Finest."
Kfunk, this did not take place in Chicago, or even Cook County.
Yea if it were in Chicago the dog would have be in the Cook County Pound charged with attempted murder of a police officer
wow. so a concerned neighbor calls about a canine escaping an electric fence resulting in an absurd reaction by this "rookie" cop. the dog approaching with intention to bite? nowhere does it say that the dog was running, growling or frothing at the mouth in anger. for god sakes, don't these police get trained to handle situations like this without pepper spray and a gun? with all the protective clothing they wear and strut around the city with i thought they'd have a little common sense. if this dog was part of a k9 unit, this would've been a different story. of course the cpd should pay for the vet bills and any sort of follow up visits the pup needs. end of story. maybe the "rookie" should write the owner and the dog a letter as well stating how sorry he is and take his bloody gun away.
You can't tell what happened from this article. Why don't you let the "cop" tell his side of the story.
I know that everyone on this site seems to inherently hate police officers, but why would you assume that this policeman would want to sadistically shoot a dog anymore than you would?
I guess policemen are like fat people, one of the last groups of people we're allowed to stereotype and openly despise.
Yeah, it's, of course, the cop's fault. You ever approached a strange dog? He just comes up and licks your hand?
Ever watched "Animal Cops" or something similar on TV? Dogs aren't always the most compliant suspects...you don't know what they're going to do. You can't actually reason with them -- often, they bite without warning. Sad, but true -- dogs get shot for a reason. They're aggressive and unreliable. It happens..
Maybe totally....c'mon now Spav. The police should have never had to be in this situation, it is animal control's responsibility to handle loose dogs. Animal control has the proper training and equipment to handle a situation like this. The police shouldn't have even gone on their property without a warrant. The police are responsible for the dogs vet bills, I dont see why they shouldn't at the very least apologize and pay for the vet bills.
I also dont think that their is anything hilarious about shooting someones family pet.
CPkay,
As one person already pointed out, this had nothing to do with "CPD" as you put it. Secondly, no...cops don't get training on this. Also, in most of the suburbs, there is no "animal control." The police are it.
Can anyone tell me what happened in this case? Did the cop have to pay for anything? Was he held accountable in any way? A cop was cutting through my neighbors yard when he shot their dog. The cop did not identify himself, no sirens nothing. Said he did what he had to do as the dog was making to bite him... I'm searching the web for info so if you have any please email toratora1031@yahoo.com thx