Target: Mike Moyle, Speaker of the House for Idaho
Goal: Don’t let runaway pets and stray animals be slaughtered with impunity.
When a social media post emerged detailing the deaths of two dogs on an interstate highway in Idaho, the outrage was immediate. The dogs had apparently caused a traffic jam but were otherwise reportedly posing no physical threat. Bystanders had attempted to get the dogs off the road, as had local police officers. Then the controversy began. An officer allegedly shot and killed both dogs. Their blood was strewn across the scene.
The officer defended his actions by claiming that while the dogs were not seemingly violent, they could cause a traffic accident. Therefore, the deadly action taken would be justified under Idaho law that disqualifies animal cruelty charges if the animal poses a risk of harm. Critics, however, contend that the force was excessive and unnecessary, as the animals were possibly on the verge of being apprehended and rescued safely. Independent investigations eventually exonerated the officer, but for animal welfare advocates the questions still persist.
The police department involved in the incident has vowed to offer more training and equipment for their officers in dealing with wandering animals. But other deficiencies in the Idaho legal code also present a problem. For one, the justifications of the animal posing a threat are vague. These dogs, as mentioned, were reportedly not aggressive…just frightened and attempting to run away. Moreover, the state’s animal cruelty law also seemingly makes exceptions for lethal action if the animal in question is outside of an owner’s property (the dogs had reportedly escaped from an enclosure). This part of the statute gives potential bad actors too much leeway and permission. For example, would stray animals be fair game?
Sign the petition below to urge state lawmakers to clarify and strengthen laws meant to protect vulnerable animals from preventable harm.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Speaker Moyle,
In response to the deadly officer-involved shooting of two dogs in Heyburn that drew national attention, the police chief has committed to implementing better protocols in incidents involving animals. These protocols—including increased training and animal control tools—should be a statewide priority, as should an amendment to existing animal cruelty laws. This incident provoked such a strong reaction and two independent investigations because of a lack of clarity in Idaho cruelty statutes.
The defense for shooting the dogs (who were roaming an interstate) involved claims of the animals posing a threat to others (although they were apparently non-aggressive) and justification that the animals were off their home property. Both of these loopholes offer far too many passes for true and deliberate acts of cruelty to go unpunished. The language in both exemptions needs to be tightened (in the case of the harm exemption) or dropped altogether (seemingly offering animals protection only if they are pets and at their homes).
Animal protection is an issue that has no partisan divide. Please revisit animal control and animal cruelty in Idaho and propose reforms that can truly safeguard all innocent animals.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Nadia Vasileva
Stop killing animals! Police needs to stop abusing and killing animals (dogs). Get training on how to handle situations like this. It was not necessary to kill the poor dogs, they have no compassion for sentient beings. I’m so tired of abusers and getting away with murder.
And the damn police are not any better to be kill just like all these dog they kill
I say now for ever dog shot and killed by the fucking police there should be a fucking cop shot by the hand of any human that sees them do this the saying eye fir an eye will the damn police aren’t any better then the animals they kill so for every dog kill a cop cause they should breathe the same air as them poor dogs did
No the animals are much better than these fucking gun happy cops.
If this had been my dog that this bastard had shot dead, I guarantee he would now be a ‘dead cop’ still walking but not for much longer!!
J.W.
That fucking coward policeman should pay for the murder of those poor dogs.
The comments made above are frightening and disgusting. Please tell me these are representative of a very minor portion of the membership.
Kirsten, do u really want that officer protecting u? No compassion? No heart? No ty. No heart, has psychological problems and is a killer. Should be be treated as a serial killer in the making. Do u think serial killers should be cops?
Morons like you have no clue what garbage cops like this are capable of.
Exactly right!
These situations just give these bloody ‘gun happy’ cops a get out to use their fucking guns to make them look hard!!
They have no compassion whatsoever and these bastards know they can get away with it as they are only animals!
Obviously enjoy ‘killing’. Animals do not matter.
The bastard cops who unnecessarily killed these innocent dogs sure need sorting but unfortunately have the backing of the police force to protect their fucking actions.
These cops are just as bad as the other animal murdering bastards out there and need to be severely dealt with for their killing lust!
Cops or not, all of these animal murdering tossers must be dealt with. One way or the other!!
Would be interesting to hear what punishment these pricks get – if any!!
The submission below is for Kirsten Parrish.
J,W.
No, this is not a ‘softly softly pussy site for pillocks who obviously condone what the cops, perps, or whatever you want to call all of the animal murdering bastards portrayed here!
We who take time to write our feelings would all vote the same way.
By your comment it seems like you are in the side if these torturing and murdering bastards who take their aggression out on innocent animals that are not going to fight back, because the pieces of shite are gutless and spineless and would not dare to get involved with another person.
The comments here are MEANT to be frightening in hope that one of these wankers read it and realise what is going to happen to them if that get caught.
And I do not mean by the police!!
Until these pricks are severely dealt with animal abuse and torture is going to continue.
Although someone like you obviously could not give a ‘toss’.
If you are on the side of the bad guys (which it seems that you are by your annoying comment) then I suggest if these are your feelings, then STAY OFF OF HERE !!
We have no time for pathetic ‘bleeding hearts’ on this site!!!
The comments made above her submission are frightening and disgusting so Kirstin Parrish says.
Well that can very simply be remedied. Just keep your ass off of this petition site.
What did you expect to see; something like ‘Oh, what a naughty policeman, I’m sure he is very sorry for what he did and the dog wagged it’s tail and started to walk towards him so he had to murder it as it could have been dangerous! He really did not mean to do it!
Prat, of course the tosser mean to DO IT and no doubt enjoyed it.
Arrogant bastard copper!
As for you lady, you should KEEP OFF this site and stop annoying genuine subscribers!!
Comments containing the f word and violence only hurt our cause, not help it.
FUCK YOU, Kirsten Parrish ok ??
Do you think cops who do this should get away with this? Because i can tell you now they will!!
Kirsten Parrish.
Have you actually GOT a cause?? Because by your annoying ‘fucking’ comments you are obviously on the side of these animal murdering tossers!
All you are doing here pissing’ off genuine animal activists and protectors who demand justice for these innocent animals.
I really do not know why you are submitting shite like this here.
Incidentally, if you had a taste of what these innocent animals are subjected to at the mercy of these bastard ‘sickko’s then you might, I say just might, change your stupid mind!
Go away and STOP ANNOYING GENUINE PEOPLE who just want ‘justice’ for tortured animals.
Unlike yourself who seems to be on the side of these fucking Oxygen stealing waste of space animal torturing bastards!!!!!
You don’t have a cause it seems, only to condone what these murdering pricks are doing otherwise you would not be submitting such annoying crap!!
How do you think these submissions hurt the cause? Genuine feelings from genuine animal caring people.
Not someone who favours the animal murdering perps!!
J.W.
Police are,always killing innocent dogs. They didn’t need to shoot them. It’s terrible they are not trained to handle animals. The answer is not murdering them! Shame on them!
I support the police in doing their job EXCEPT when they kill innocent animals. This is getting out of control. They have tasers for a damn reason. A non-aggressive lab was killed recently in Lorain Ohio by an officer. I guess the tasers are on their belt for show only. Since officers are scared to do their job in arresting or encountering violent human criminals; they are now killing innocent dogs. This shit needs to stop.
Exactly!! There are wonderful stories where cops save animals and more than likely keep them. One cop saved a dog on highway and kept it. Cop saved kitten thrown out of car on highway and kept it.
STOP KILLING ANIMALS!!!
STOP KILLING THESE ANIMALS!!~!!
The name of the dumbass that shot these 2 innocent dogs is Ririe Thomander! The “investigation” was done by a neighboring law enforcement agency – yeah, right. Investigation my ass! Bunch of bullshit! This was the Heyburn Idaho PD! All cops are way too prone to shoot anything and anybody, and they already have the right excuse made up so they can get by with it. I would love to see a cop be held accountable for what they do without all the bullshit. Cops have way too much leeway in what they do. They have all the right wording because they’re all schooled on what to say when they do the wrong thing. This just ticks me off to no end! How do these psychopaths get jobs where they get guns and get to shoot innocent animals (and people) but not be responsible? If I was a relative or friend to one of these cops, I’d have to get far away from them and cut all ties. He/she can’t be trusted to do the right thing and if you make them mad, they’ll shoot you and already have a carefully worded excuse made up and they’ll get by with it!
No cop that did this was ever punished.NOT ONE.
WHY DOES THE POLICE HAVE TO KILL THESE DOGS??? THEY ARE NOT DANGEROUS AND NOT ATTACKING ANYONE??????
Because it gives them power and the fuckers enjoy it — that’s why!!! And the bastards can get away with satisfying their killing lust with little or no incriminations!
“Oh, look at me, aren’t I the brave cop shooting and killing this dog who was confused and harmless”. This piece of ‘shite’ copper and his fucking ‘oppo’ seriously need dealing with!!
These wankers need taking out as they just give the rest of the force a bad name.
Arrogant bastards who should be terminated.
Have you got a sensible answer to this submission Kirstin Parrish???
Anyone even pretend like they are going to hurt or kill my pets (or anyone else’s pets) will get a damn bullet between their damn ears.
Top summing up friend. Absolutely spot on !!!
J.W.
Too fat too dumb, they only want to kill.
These poor animals were doing what was natural and running away from a freighting situation. To be shot to death is unjustified, cruel, and disgusting. The police person who did this needs to lose his or her job. They are not fit to work with the public or our domestic animals that pose no hard to others.
NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!! No cop who did this was ever punished.
The fucker needs to lose his head!!!
SO SAD FOR THESE INNOCENT HELPLESS SCARED DOGS WHO WERE LOST!!! THE OWNERS SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND PROSECUTED!!
THEY DID NOT DESERVE TO BE BRUTALLY MURDERED THEY COULD HAVE CALLED ANIMAL CONTROL!!
Killing the animals because “they might cause an accident”???? So what, now, we kill and the drivers because they might potentially cause an accident? what kind of f’ed up logic is that????
Kill all the drivers, I meant to say…
This all could have been taken care of without this deadly shooting of these two dogs
Totally unnecessary!! These sweet huskies were not aggressive!!! Was there no one that could get them without the worst scenario possible?????????
Mindless idiot asshole cop that shot them was not acting as he had trained! SERVE AND PROTECT ALL! Surely in this day and age there are steps that could be used to safely get the dogs off the highway to safety. CALL IN SPECIALISTS IDOIT!! USE TRAPS WITH FOOD…ANYTHING! CALL PEOPLE LIKE TIA MARIA TORRES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SICKENING DISGUSTING WORLD!!!!!
CHARGE HIM WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY. MURDER 1. 2 COUNTS
AND all they wanted was safety and food. IDIOT!!!!!!!
Why is it that our lovely American friends think a gun keeps you safe when it does anything but?
High school murder sprees; slaughter of innocent animals, whether wild or domesticated; police-killings often of innocent/not-proven-guilty people; domestic violence.
ABC NEWS item earlier this week:
“There have been more mass shootings than days in 2023, database shows
The United States has experienced 484 mass shootings so far this year.”
The gun lobby is responsible for this since they seem to consider it everyone’s inalienable right to own a killing machine, whatever its calibre.
The mind-set needs changing – before the only ones left standing are the gun lobby.