Fallout continues for the Thibodaux Police Department, after an officer fatally shot a loose dog on Christmas Day.
Jeff Dorson with the Humane Society of Louisiana said it is an unfortunate incident that could have been avoided if more law enforcement officers were properly trained.
“We have to ask ourselves how come animal control officers and humane societies aren’t ever on the front page for shooting animals? Why, because we have a little bit of common sense and training,” said Dorson.
While only half of the parishes in Louisiana have shelters or animal control officers, Dorson said Lafourche Parish does.
“I think if I was that cop and I felt threatened and didn’t know what to do I would have stayed in my patrol car and asked for back-up. Ask for animal control, that has catch-pulls and heavy gloves and they’re used to this,” said Dorson.
Dorson notes that the dog's owner may bear some responsibility, depending on the circumstances of how the animal ended up running loose.
“Owners please keep your dogs confined. It’s the law and you will avoid these kinds of problems,” said Dorson.
A press release from Thibodaux PD said the officer was bit by the dog before the shooting.
