Target: Mike Moyle, Speaker of the House for Idaho
Goal: Strengthen laws regarding animal cruelty to provide enhanced protections for pets.
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
Please tell me why this police department is so stupid. Or are they just as trigger-happy as the rest of Americans?
TRIGGER HAPPY ANERICANS!!And let me just say there are some cops not as dumb as these. Some actually save animals on highways and keep them.
Yes I agree !! Unforgivable
trigger happy P.O.S. They should be fired.
Justice for dogs! RIP
Death penalty for bastard officer.
Karma to those POS.
Why do animals always have to be killed and REAL criminals are handled with velvet gloves.
This psychologically disturbed police officer should surrender his weapon so that garbage can NEVER harm an animal again!
I am for an eye for an eye tooth for a tooth!!!
Shoot that vermin in front of his brainless head!
I fully agree !
Pienso lo mismo Henny !!!!
Nothing will happen to this pos.
Gun happy police again The reason he gave is extremely weak – a traffic jam! Shoot the piece of shit as he poses a threat to public safety
I really hope this world ends soon .
I hear you.
👍
Those who are mentally-deranged psychopathic sadists should definitely NOT work in the police department. MAX JAIL for this satanic police playing God.
WTF
Humans are in a latge group of animals called mammals. Therefor if the idaho laws say they could justifiably be killed because of xauseing traffic accidents , then that qualifies the officer to be shot and killed since he couldnof caused a traffic problem fornkilling the innocent dofs, blood and dead bodiesbon the road could cause accident etc, so Lwts put this officer away! He is a blood thirsty tridgger happy criminal who should have his lisence reviked! This souless subhuman is a horror and menace to the county!
Why is killing of innocent animals the answer??? This is lazy and cruel behavior and sets a horrible example.
Jail them cruel officers they need training these bastards
Only in Idaho! The state that has the most people with hatred towards animals!
This is so sad and heart-breaking and DID NOT need to happen! But some trigger-happy, cowardly, pathetic POS police officer decided to kill the very frightened dogs rather than try to help them get back to their owners. I truly wish 1ll-will on this scumbag for the rest of his pitiful life! RIP Idaho DOGS! 😥
Pos who dumped elderly cat on me moved there.
Where I come from we hang and beat dirty mother fuckers like this high. Where does he live? Provide an address and I will get someone on it. Karma is a bitch when those who suffer aren’t the ones you would expect to suffer. He needs to be punished.
AN EYE FOR AN EYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This CRUEL ABUSIVE POLICE OFFICER should be KILLED AS THESE 2 INNOCENT DOGS WERE! NEVER HEARD OF AN ANIMAL CONTROL???? THIS PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE OFFERED THESE DOGS SOME FOOD AMD TRY TO GAIN THESE INNOCENT DOGS TRUST TO GET THEM OFF OF THE INTERSTATE SAFELY!!!
ANIMAL CRUELTY AND ABUSE BY A POLICE OFFICE WHAT ASHAME
Exactly!! If this pos used thier brains they would of done what other cops do in these situations.FIND A SOLUTION LIKE THEY DID! Some cops use darts with stuff to make them fall asleep!
Dogs are nothing more than target practice for rogue, trigger-happy cops. Remember this. They are the ones that will be first to use tasers and guns on humans – you are another video-game target for them.
Fire those dangerous officers! They need to be punished and taken off the streets!
There are way too many barbaric low life’s who only think about killing innocent defenseless animals.EYE FOR AN EYE TO THEM BASTARDS!!!
There are way too many barbaric low life’s who only think about killing innocent defenseless animals.EYE FOR AN EYE TO THEM!!!