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About time this started happening. Maybe if every dog killed in it's own home is 20k to the city, they'll start checking their fire.
PEMBROKE PINES—
The family of Baxter, the Australian shepherd shot and killed by a Pembroke Pines officer, has received $20,000 in a settlement with City Hall.
Owners Frank and Cindy Jones could not be reached for comment Friday.
On Feb. 24, Officer Nicholas Taber fired six shots at Baxter because the dog charged him and his partner as they stood outside the family's open front door.
Video: More than viral! We find the oddest, weirdest videos on the Web just for you. Enjoy!
Hit by three bullets, Baxter died three weeks later.
In April, hundreds of supporters joined Baxter's family outside City Hall in a protest urging officers to use lethal force only as a last resort when responding to complaints about loose dogs.
The couple's 13-year-old son, Cameron, read a speech to commissioners, telling them he lost his brother and best friend when Baxter died. The boy, standing at the front door, was close by when the officer opened fire on his dog.
Current laws entitle owners to the property value of their pet, without taking into consideration the grief and suffering over the loss of companionship.
The Joneses and their attorney argued that Baxter was not just property, but a member of the family.
Robert Clements says he plans to make the same argument if his case against Fort Lauderdale goes to trial.
In May, Fort Lauderdale Police Officer Pete Haritos shot and killed Bandy, one of Clements' three Australian shepherds. The dogs had gotten out of the yard after an automatic gate malfunctioned, Clements said.
Clements said he is not after money, but instead hopes to bring more attention to the issue of cop-on-canine shootings.
"I want to expose the police for what they are doing," he said. "Why didn't he use Mace on my dog? The simple answer is the cops are trigger happy."
Both police departments ruled the shootings were justified.
PEMBROKE PINES—
The family of Baxter, the Australian shepherd shot and killed by a Pembroke Pines officer, has received $20,000 in a settlement with City Hall.
Owners Frank and Cindy Jones could not be reached for comment Friday.
On Feb. 24, Officer Nicholas Taber fired six shots at Baxter because the dog charged him and his partner as they stood outside the family's open front door.
Video: More than viral! We find the oddest, weirdest videos on the Web just for you. Enjoy!
Hit by three bullets, Baxter died three weeks later.
In April, hundreds of supporters joined Baxter's family outside City Hall in a protest urging officers to use lethal force only as a last resort when responding to complaints about loose dogs.
The couple's 13-year-old son, Cameron, read a speech to commissioners, telling them he lost his brother and best friend when Baxter died. The boy, standing at the front door, was close by when the officer opened fire on his dog.
Current laws entitle owners to the property value of their pet, without taking into consideration the grief and suffering over the loss of companionship.
The Joneses and their attorney argued that Baxter was not just property, but a member of the family.
Robert Clements says he plans to make the same argument if his case against Fort Lauderdale goes to trial.
In May, Fort Lauderdale Police Officer Pete Haritos shot and killed Bandy, one of Clements' three Australian shepherds. The dogs had gotten out of the yard after an automatic gate malfunctioned, Clements said.
Clements said he is not after money, but instead hopes to bring more attention to the issue of cop-on-canine shootings.
"I want to expose the police for what they are doing," he said. "Why didn't he use Mace on my dog? The simple answer is the cops are trigger happy."
Both police departments ruled the shootings were justified.
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