This is not a consumer report but a report of how the police dept. Takes for granted their status. On July 1 I had to run errands and decided to put my dog in the backyard where it is fenced in while I was gone. When I returned home I found out my dogs broke through the fence and was out running loose. Having my 9 yr. Old daughter with me I went straight to the police dept. To see if they heard anything about my dogs running loose. The officer said yes and they had one dog pinned up in a fence next to a laundry mat attempting to catch him. I immediately left there and went straight to where they told me they had the dog trapped. Arriving there I walked up to 3 upset officers blaming me for allowing my dog to run loose. I told them I didnt, he broke through the fence and I wasnt home at the time.
Two of the officers wouldnt even listen while the other officer was hearing me out. They treated me as if I abuse my animals and dont take care of them. I noticed my dog foaming at the mouth and looking a bit dazed. He was pacing back and fourth a bit confused of everything. The officer that was nicer to me talked to the other officers about allowing me to take my dog home instead of the pound. They all agreed to let me take my dog but would give me two tickets for my dog not being on a leash and no tags on him. I went to grab my dog and walk him to my van when the officer told me to pick him up and carry him several feet to my van. Knowing to always cooperate with a officer I did as he said.
Well I was 4 1/2 months pregnant at the time and its definetly noticable and he had me carrying a 40 lb dog?!?! The officer walked with me to place the dog in my van with my 9 yr. Old daughter in the van making sure he didnt get out of the windows. The officer and I then walked a few feet to his truck so he could write me out the tickets. While standing there I noticed something starting to burn my mouth.
I told the officer my dog must have gotten into something and I touched it because my mouth was burning pretty bad. His reply? He mumbles oh thats just the spray. Concentrating on my mouth, face and arms at this point burning like crazy I stood there clueless to what he was talking about. He hands me the tickets and I start to walk to my van when I noticed my daughter hanging her head out the window crying hysterically. As I ran to my van the officers drove off.
I asked whats wrong and she said almost unable to understand that she was burning. I yelled omg, what is that stuff and jumped in the van to get her home and wash whatever it was off. She had gotten the stuff on her arms, legs, face and in her eyes. At this point I was burning all over also but I ignored how I felt concerned more about my daughter. I had her rinsing off for about 20 minutes and nothing happened, she was still crying. I got on the phone with the police dept and asked what was that stuff on my dog because I couldnt get it off my daughter. The officer told me then PEPPER SPRAY!!!
I went nuts on the phone of how could that officer allow my dog in the van with my daughter knowing full well the dog had pepper spray on him!?!?! The officer on the phone replies, would you have rather had us put the dog in the pound! I couldnt believe he said that and I hung up! After another 40 min. Of continuing rinsing my daughter from head to toe, it finally came off of her.
I then started rinsing myself to get it off and washed my dog real good. All upset I called the town manager and he told me to type out a report and bring it to him. Two days later I went to his officer and all he said was sorry I had to go through that. I told him the spray was all over in my van and asked how to get rid of it. He handed me 3 small irritant spray wipes for when we get it on ourselves we can wipe it off. I couldnt believe thats all he gave me.
On Aug. 7th I have court for the tickets and will possibly have to pay $200 for this whole ordeal. I can not get over my daughter, my dog and I went through all that bull and now I HAVE TO PAY?!?! Why did they pepper spray my dog in the first place, hes not violent at all.in fact his name is mellow because he is a extremely mellow dog! Wouldnt that be animal abuse to spray a dog that hasnt done anything besides running loose??? Isnt it considered to be child abuse to allow the dog in my van knowing full well he has pepper sprayed him?!?! I know nothing about pepper spray!!!
Isnt it uncalled for a police officer to request a pregnant woman to lift such a heavy dog when I was walking him just fine?!?!?! Please somebody help me with this? I know nothing about the law or how to deal with this! Court is next week and I cant afford a attorney. Iv never even been in court and Im scared... Anyone?!?!
Linda
Hickory, North Carolina
U.S.A.
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