Is a Police Dog The Same As A Police Officer?

[Clyde]

Poll question -

 

Should we treat a police dog the same as a police officer when it comes to an attack?

 

Note: Your pick is private. No one will see how you voted.

[UKMustangFan]

Absolutely IMO.

[TheDeuce]

Absolutely not.

[Clyde]

Absolutely IMO.

 

Absolutely not.

 

Appreciate the replies. To help foster discussion shed some light on what's behind your beliefs. Give us some "why" for us to chew on. Thanks

[UKMustangFan]

They're trained in a manner that normal dogs aren't. They're trained to deal with dangerous situations.

 

They may be following commands, but they put their life at risk every day just like the officer does.

 

They fight crime and "protect and serve" just like the officers do. Obviously in different ways, but they both do it.

[TheDeuce]

Many probably won't like this, but my stance has to do with the fact they they are animals, not people...

 

Don't get me wrong, in no way do I think animal lives are disposable or we shouldn't care for them, far from that. I do think human lives are FAR more valuable. I think it's a ridiculous notion that if someone shoots a police dog, the charge should be the same as if they murdered a cop. Hit them with the worst possible cruelty to animals charge there is, and even tack on something because it was a service dog, but having a charge be equal to that of taking a human life is lunacy.

 

JMO, of course.

[rockmom]

These dogs are put in danger to reduce the danger to police officers. So, yeah.

[Wireman]

I'm with Deuce. They are animals and should not be treated as humans. Just my (unpopular) opinion.

[Clyde]

Appreciate it, gentlemen.

 

A few scenarios to ponder:

 

1. Most agree that if a suspect pulls a weapon on an officer that the officer has the right to respond with deadly force. What if a police dog is chasing a suspect who is running and the suspect pulls out a gun to turn and shoot the dog? Does that give the right to the officer to use deadly force?

 

2. We often see cases where a suspect was shot during a fight/struggle with an officer. Most believe the officer has a right to use deadly force in cases where the suspect is fighting back and trying to hurt the officer. What if the police dog catches the suspect who is running and the suspect starts punching the dog? Can the officer use deadly force?

 

3. We all agree that a suspect who murders an officer goes either to prison for life or to the chair. Do we agree that a suspect who kills a police dog gets the same penalty?

[UKMustangFan]

1. Yes

2. Yes

3. I don't agree they should get the chair, but yes to the point you're making.

[littleluck55]

I believe they should be treated as officers as they actually have a job as an officer. That being said, I think charges should be brought on an officer who leaves a K-9 locked in a hot car to die the same as if a suspect killed a K-9 officer.

[Wireman]

Let's train a dog to fly a plane and make it a pilot then. I'm sorry but dogs don't hold jobs. Dogs are a tool that can be utilized by people who do hold jobs. They are a resource.

[UKMustangFan]

Dogs are a tool that can be utilized by people who do hold jobs. They are a resource.

 

Dogs are not objects or tools. They aren't resources. They're living, breathing creatures with a brain, thoughts, a heart, and feelings.

[Wireman]

Dogs are not objects or tools. They aren't resources. They're living, breathing creatures with a brain, thoughts, a heart, and feelings.

 

You know what else they aren't? Human

[UKMustangFan]

You know what else they aren't? Human

 

Correct. Of course if we're comparing them to humans, we as people could sure learn a lot about love, loyalty, and trust from them.

 

Scenario: Cops roll up on a house suspected of being ran as a drug ring. They fear those inside are armed. Are you okay with them sending in the K-9's first to take the gunfire and distract the perps over going in themselves?