Quick Thinking Officer Tazes Dog

[xfirefighter484x 234]

A quick thinking officer tazes a dog attacking a fellow officer.

[Guest alsfirefighter]

Thinking or reacting? If the first thing he put his hand on was his Glock, do you think the title might read

"Quick thinking Officers shoots dog"

[xfirefighter484x 234]

Well, I guess my point being that the cop my have considered going for his sidearm, yet chose instead to deploy his less than lethal alternative.

[SageVigiles 1,194]

Or perhaps the reason he pulled the taser has nothing to do with the dog, but scene safety as a whole.

Consider the fact that the dog was moving EXTREMELY quickly, and the chance of missing the target is rather high. How many police officers REGULARLY train to fire at a target that moves as quickly as a dog can? I'm nearly 100% positive its not in the CT qualification course for a police officer. What if the round ricocheted off the pavement and struck the other officer or one of the civilians on the streetside? Then the title would read "Officer accidentially shoots partner" or "Officer accidentially shoots civilian, city being sued for millions."

All in all, good actions by the POs involved and a nice youtube find.

[Guest alsfirefighter]

The dog was moving quickly was exactly my point, I don't think he was thinking he was reacting. When going through TASER training this was one of the videos shown and several of well respected colleagues even said they think that is just the first thing he got his hands on in reaction. Either way it worked out and he or anyone else didn't get injured.

The riccochet theory is a good thought, but generally an afterthought. Large aggressive dog breeds represent a significant threat and can warrant deadly force. I know of a police officer who was severely mauled by one and her actions saved her life in the end and I don't think she ever returned to work. Dog or perp if you life is in threat you act on the target. It may not be in qualifying, but you have a greater chance of missing the target with 2 probes, ones that do have a significant percentage of misfires or non-deployment then you do with a reliable firearm. And then if you do miss with the probes, have a misfire or non deployment then what? Hope a drive stun works, or attempt to deploy your firearm as you are trying to protect your face from the dog?

Just to satisfy all the candy eaters out there. This is not a monday morning quarterback issue...this is a good discussion generated by Sage's response and one that LE and tactical members encounter on a nearly daily basis.

[ny10570 745]

Isn't the officers gun going to be the first reflex when faced with a threat? I figure between its location on his hip or leg and training a cop is going to pull his gun as a reflex to a threat.