Round Rock Man Sues Police For Fatally Shooting His Dog

ROUND ROCK — A local man is suing three Round Rock police officers for shooting his dog, Bullet, dead as they entered his home responding to an alarm.

As detailed in a federal lawsuit -- the details of which were reported by the Austin American-Statesman -- the officers were responding to an alarm at the home of Russell Lane Jr., when they encountered the 8-year-old Rottweiler. The incident took place in Round Rock on May 30, 2014.

The officers later claimed the dog was charging at them, forcing the policemen to fire upon the animal five times. However, based on where the bullets hit the dog (determined during an autopsy), the dog was retreating, the lawsuit claims.

Lane said his dog also suffered from hip dysplasia, making him unable to move quickly -- much less charge the officers as they claim Bullet did.

The lawsuit names three officers: B.R. Rechtfertig, A.J. Rivera and J.P. Keyes as defendants, according to the Statesman. Also named are the Round Rock Police Department and the City of Round Rock.

Lane's attorney said the lawsuit was filed in federal court on the basis that the man's constitutional rights were violated. Furthermore, she said officers destroyed Lane's property with no probable cause and sans compensation.

"Under Texas law, you can’t get emotional damages for the death of a pet,” Christiana Dijkman, the attorney, said. “We are not seeking damages for the death of a pet; we are seeking emotional damages for constitutional violations.”

An amount for monetary damages is not specified in the lawsuit.

For his part, Lane said he "cried for days" after his beloved pet was killed, having raised the animal since it was eight weeks old.

“I have no kids other than my grandbaby,” he told the Statesman. "And Bullet was my child.”