More Cops Are Being Trained To Respond To Dogs Using Non-Lethal Techniques

The issue of police officers using lethal force against dogs has became a hot-button issue in some communities, especially Wyckoff.

Patrolman Kyle Ferreira fatally shot the Vukobratovic family’s dog, Otto, after the dog bit him and latched onto Patrolman Kyle Ferreira’s foot. Ferreira was at the property investigating what he thought was a burglary at the residence. He went to the wrong house. The 5-year-old dog died from the injuries later that night.

Many people have come out and insist that Patrolman Kyle Ferreira did not have to use lethal force against the dog that latched onto his foot and wouldn’t let go.

Protesters outside Wyckoff Town Hall this week held up signs with ‘Justice for Otto’ on them. They screamed and yelled that police should not use lethal force against animals.

Dr. Randall Lockwood, senior vice president of forensic sciences and anti-cruelty projects with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said there can be many reasons why a police officer would choose to use lethal force against a dog.

Lockwood said that he heard of one instance of a police officer shooting at a chihuahua.

“Sometimes the officer is afraid of the situation and does not know how to read it accurately and can perceive a threat from something that isn’t really there,” Lockwood said. “Most dogs are not going to be vicious. Part of being trained is learning to assess that there really is a danger and to learn tactics to get out of the situation.”

Assessing the situation could take as little as five seconds, Lockwood said.

“Start with verbal commands. Most dogs, even if they are not well trained, know ‘sit’ and ‘back-off’,” Lockwood said. “They could try swinging their baton in a non-lethal away. Lethal force should only be considered as a last resort.”

Several states, including Illinois and Colorado, mandate that police be trained the proper way to deal with dogs.

The New York City Police Department trains its officers on dog encounters using videos from the U.S. Justice Department.

“There are dogs in one of every three American households so the chances of a police officers having to deal with a dog at some point is very good,” Lockwood said.