St. Petersburg Police Department Implements Policy Changes After Dog Shooting Investigation

St. Petersburg Police Chief Chuck Harmon was prompted to re-examine police procedures after the fatal shooting of a 12-year-old arthritic golden retriever named Boomer on October 1. Following an internal investigation, officers were found to have acted appropriately in the shooting, but Harmon acknowledged the incident as an opportunity to improve department policies. The department has introduced new measures, including the use of "catch-poles" to restrain dogs and stricter requirements for deploying officers on vicious dog calls. Officers will now only be dispatched to such calls when a person is in "imminent danger." Harmon has also ordered 100 aluminum poles with wire loops at the end to aid in dog restraint.

Key Takeaways:

• The St. Petersburg Police Department has implemented policy changes after the fatal shooting of a dog named Boomer, which prompted an internal investigation.
• The investigation found that the shooting was justified, but Police Chief Chuck Harmon acknowledged the incident as an opportunity to improve department procedures.
• New measures include the use of "catch-poles" to restrain dogs and stricter requirements for deploying officers on vicious dog calls.
• Officers will only be dispatched to vicious dog calls when a person is in "imminent danger."
• New equipment includes 100 aluminum poles with wire loops at the end for dog restraint.
• Police Chief Harmon has also mandated additional training for officers in using the new equipment.
• Several owners of dogs killed by St. Petersburg officers this year have joined the campaign to change police policy, advocating for pets to be viewed as family members instead of property.

Statistics:

• In the past 10 years, St. Petersburg police have shot 54 dogs.
• Only a handful of the 54 dog shootings would have ended differently if the new policy and equipment were in place, according to Police Chief Chuck Harmon.
• The number of officers receiving SPCA training in puppy handling was three-fourths, or 75%. However, not all officers received the training, as was the case with Officer Misty Swanson.
• The change.org online petition for better police training in handling animals has over 3,700 followers.
• 12-year-old Boomer, an arthritic golden retriever, was shot and killed on October 1 after being reported as an aggressive dog.

Sources:

• Times Staff Writer Emily Nipps
• James Borchuck, Photo journalist, Times
• Change.org
• Facebook page dedicated to demanding police training in animal handling