Approximately 10,000 dogs are shot and killed by American police officers each year. A proposed California bill hopes to reduce this number by requiring officers to undergo additional dog safety training.
The police-canine encounters protection act is currently making its way through state committees in Sacramento and would require mandatory encounter training for all California peace officers.
State Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian, who introduced the bill, told ABC7 that the goal of the police-canine encounters protection act, is to help protect the officers as much as the dogs.
“We cannot keep putting our excellent officers in this no-win situation,” he said.
The bill comes on the heels of an incident just last week in which a Los Angeles police officer shot and killed a dog who latched onto his arm. Another dog – a pit bull – was killed last year after attacking an officer. The LAPD pointed out that their officers already receive instruction on how to handle dog encounters.
Supporters of the bill say that similar mandatory training to help officers understand the behavior and body language of dogs, and how to use non-lethal force has been successful in Colorado and Texas.
While many families have a fire evacuation plan, my husband and I have added an additional precaution to our emergency protocol. Should we require the assistance of police officers, our three dogs are to be immediately placed into a closed bedroom after the 911 call is made.
Related: Best Pet Insurance in California
They are rescue dogs that tend to be nervous and protective around strangers. We feel that whenever possible it is our responsibility to ensure their safety and that of anyone in our home.
What do you think about the proposed bill? Do officers need more training, or does the responsibility fall on the pet owner?
Image via Facebook/Stand With Us
H/T to ABC7
Toledo, United States.
