Prosecute Deputy for Shooting Dog Without Cause
By Liz MellemTarget: Adams County Sheriff, Doug Darr
Goal: Charge Deputy Wilfred Europe III with animal cruelty after kicking, shooting and killing a man’s pet dog.
Deputy Wilfred Europe III responded to a burglary alarm at the wrong address in Brighton, Colorado where he kicked, shot and killed the business owner’s dog. Conflicting stories over the dog’s level of aggressiveness are under investigation, but there is no evidence that Europe questioned the owner, had cause to take action, or knew he was at the wrong address. Please sign this petition and demand that Adams County charge Deputy Wilfred Europe III with animal cruelty after kicking, then opening fire on a domestic animal without cause.
Attempting to respond to a burglary alarm in Adams County, Deputy Wilfred Europe III and his partner accidentally went to the wrong business address. The deputies arrived at Jeff Fisher’s business and entered the building without warning. Upon arriving, Ziggy, Fisher’s 35-pound blue heeler/border collie mix responded to the deputy’s unwarranted and uninvited entry. Europe says the dog was acting aggressively and he kicked Ziggy, but the 8-year old companion did not retreat. That is when Europe shot at the dog twice, hitting and killing Ziggy on the second shot. Fisher says Europe opened fire on Ziggy when he was 15 to 20 feet away from the deputies. Fisher also maintains that Ziggy was not aggressive and came to work with him everyday.
Fisher, obviously distraught, yelled at the deputies after the murder and was told by Europe that he needed to calm down and that he could get another dog. Europe’s insensitive comments have been confirmed by Adams County Sheriff, Doug Darr. This is not the first fatal shooting involving Deputy Europe. About a year ago, Europe shot and killed a 40-year old man during a traffic stop.
Please sign this petition and demand that Adams County charge Deputy Europe with animal cruelty after kicking, shooting and killing an 8-year old, 35 pound blue heeler/border collie mix without reason.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Sheriff Darr,
Adams County Deputy Wilfred Europe III, recently kicked, shot and killed a citizen’s pet while responding to a burglary alarm at the wrong business address. Despite the incident being under investigation, it seems obvious that Deputy Europe lacked professional judgment when he hastily responded without gathering information. It was cruel to kick the dog, it was cruel to shoot at the dog, and it was certainly cruel to shoot the dog dead in front of his owner when the Deputy had no reason to be there in the first place. I am writing to demand that animal cruelty charges be brought against Deputy Europe for the slaughter of Ziggy the dog.
Jeff Fisher’s dog Ziggy was an 8-year-old, 35-pound blue heeler/border collie mix. He came to work with Fisher everyday and thus was familiar with the building and interacting with people. When Deputy Europe and his partner entered the facility without invite, warrant, or warning, Ziggy responded as most dogs would: he barked. While Fisher maintains that Ziggy was not aggressive, Deputy Europe felt threatened and kicked the dog. Shockingly, that cruel act did not quell Ziggy’s anxiety about the intruders and he did not retreat. Deputy Europe then took his authority to the next level by taking out his gun and shooting at the dog twice, ultimately killing him on the second shot.
Obviously in shock after watching his best friend shot without reason, Fisher yelled at the officers for what can only be imagined as a mind-boggling situation. Deputy Europe highlighted his lack of compassion by telling Fisher to calm down and that he could get another dog. Deputy Europe must face animal cruelty charges for kicking, shooting and killing 35 pound, 8-year-old Ziggy the dog.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Entheta via Wikimedia Commons
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29 Comments
Sad to say this is another case where this cop thinks he will get away with this. He needs to punish under the animal creulty laws just like everyone else who abuse animals. By been a cop he should have know better but he thinks he can kill a innconnet dog and get away with it. I hope he is procusted.
as pessoas têm de parar com a ideia de impunidade e ter mais respeito à vida.
The deputy’s actions were irresponible and he must be punished to the fullest extent!
Appears to me that low life scum become police. No common sense present.
Signed.
Don’t they make tasers for animals? Heartless bastard!
So unnecessary. I think what would happen if law enforcement came to my home, unexpectedly and startled my pack. My dogs would certainly react, very protective and instinctively and would probably be murdered for doing so. Rest assured, if that ever happened, my mission in life would be to make that officer’s life a living hell. My pets are my life. You mess with them, you are messing with me, and I don’t play.
Too many officers shot without thinking. If the person had a gun then maybe but dogs dont carry guns and this one was protecting his owner & his owners property. If the dog was 15 or 20 feet away there was no reason to shoot and why kick an animal after you have shot him. Maybe he needs a good kick inthe seat.
And then something like this happens when you not home like in my case. They busted down my door and shot my dog, actually, according to the blood evidence, they shot him and he was still alive enough to try and flee and they folllowed him and shot him until he was dead. That was in June, almost a year ago now and I still feel it like it happened yesterday. The heartbreak is unexpressable. And no lawyer will take the case, they were here on a probation search and even though there was no one here to search I guess that gave them the right to be here. Its mind blowing what cops get away with. I know their making enemies that if I were them I wouldn’t want to make. I hope I live to see them pay but if I die makeing sure of it thats OK too.
What do you expect from a cop??
We just dont have this issue here and I am horrified that a pet dog has been shot to death needlessly. And in America this is not the first time
This Cop should be punished for this crime, Yes i called it a crime to do this to the dog. suspose it was a child that he this to, the same pushingment should be the same
What is going on with “law enforcement officers” all over this country? The combination of poor judgement, wrong addresses, arrogance, lack of compassion, lack of education regarding animal behavior is beyond frightening! Please reverse this trend!
This asshole is what gives cops a bad name. The problem is, there are a TON of these assholes that we employ…
Ziggy was simply doing what a good dog should. He was protecting his home against intruders. This valiant deed cost him his life. Jeff Fisher will be emotionally devastated at losing his companion – while the rest of us are appalled.
Deputy Europe must be charged for killing an innocent pet dog – and of course he must not be allowed to carry a firearm. He has proven that with his “hair-trigger” tendency he is a menace to man and animal when he has a gun in his hand.
This police officer must be charged with animal cruelty as well as investigated for incompetence police work. He must immediately be sent for psychiatric evaluation considering that he seems to be “trigger happy” and exhibits a tendency for violence. If and when convicted, in addition to fines and jail time, he must also be sent to work as a volunteer in Animal shelters.
Too many firearms in the States and often in the wrong hands!
Os animais merecem todo o nosso respeito. A falta de respeito para com eles, denota falta de caráter do ser humano.
This a-hole needs to be prosecuted, and if found guilty, put in prison in the general population. Then let it be known he’s a cop AND an animal killer.
We’ll see who’s big and tough.
When will police start getting the correct address, anyway!!
Are you kidding me??? People, NO ONE gets charged with animal cruelty!! Thats whats wrong with our judicial system and laws!! We need to get STIFF PUNISHMENT for those that do and THEN people like this will face the LAW for real…until then, they will get a slap on the hand. WRITE TO CONGRESSMAN,SENATORS and whoever else you can to CHANGE THE LAWS and make animal abuse A CRIME PUNISHABLE BY HARD SENTANCES!
so two strangers show up unannounced & they cant understand the dog reacting to them when they saw the animal & are not sure they must have the dog isolated as cops are also scared of dogs, isolated not shot however this cop has history & after one shooting he must be confined to paperwork at the very least as he cant be trusted with a firearm.
It’s a bad idea to let someone have a gun who has such bad judgement. He needs to be sacked (and prosecuted for animal cruelty) before he kills for a third time.
Hang the bastard
Just another example of the braindead who walk as cops. That poor dead dog is a mere sample of what was probably many of his evils.
Fire his ass and throw him in jail.
What a pity there`s no capital punishment in these cases…after all if the bereaved dog owner could “get another dog” the Police could get another officer…
all i can say-life for life
thats what i would have said,eye for an eye,life for a life.
but it is always the poor dog,who is the victim.
the rough policemen kicked,shoot,and killed the poor
family dog,who probaly protected their,he barked to loud.neigbours,did complain,i think,and then there was
socalled brave policeman,with guns,and kicked and shot the poor dog.
it is not only in america,it happens everywhere,when
one doesnt love animals,kick and shoot,and kill.
The way he reacted after the shooting tell a lot about this man. This case should not be dropped by any means. He should be placed on leave until an investigation has taken place. The owner of the dog has lost a friend. This cannot just be covered up because the policeman is …a policeman.
Signatures