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Why Did A Chandler Police Officer Kill A Fenced In Family Dog?

June 24, 2015 By John Torgenson

The United States and Arizona Constitutions guarantee that NOBODY can take our property without reason.  This includes fellow citizens, governmental agencies, and police officers.

Family dogs are woven into our families.  They provide us love, loyalty, and a sense of protection. No one is allowed to unreasonably shoot them through a chain-link fence. No one.

Our Firm is handling a large dog shooting case out of Chandler, Arizona.  The proven facts are almost unbelievable.

Neighbors (who had a habit of complaining) called 911.  They said that two dogs were fighting in my clients’ yard. On that 911 call, the caller specifically stated that the dogs were enclosed and not at-large.

Chandler police officers responded.  Within three minutes, one of the responding officers shot my clients’ pet dog through her head.

The dog was enclosed in a chain-link fence.  She was separated by a chain-link fence from the dog she was allegedly fighting with.  My clients’ daughter saw the police officer blow her dog’s brains out.  The officer put his gun through the chain-link fence and shot.  No humans around.  No threat to anyone.  He pulled the trigger and killed Simone, their family pet.  He unreasonably took their property.  He must be held accountable.  The government cannot kill our enclosed pets for no reason.  It is illegal.  The officer, in his Internal Affairs investigation interview, says that he had an “Oh Sh*t!” moment after the killing.

The City of Chandler has refused, thus far, to provide my law firm the complete file on this case despite the fact that we filed a thorough public records request immediately after the police officer killed Simone.  There are several questions that must be answered.

  1. Why Wasn’t Animal Care & Control Called To Deal with this alleged issue?
  2. Why didn’t the officer use non-lethal means, like his Taser, instead of shooting Simone?
  3. Why didn’t the officer receive thorough training with regard to handling animal calls when he had shot and killed 2 other dogs in the previous 7 months?  He claims Chandler did not train him to properly respond.
  4. Why wasn’t every witness listed in the police report?  There was a blonde woman sitting in the dog-killing officer’s patrol car, and she is nowhere to be found as a witness on any police report.  Who was she and why was she there?  The officer stated in his Internal Affairs interview that she worked for the City of Chandler and that he knew her from church.  Why wasn’t she listed as a witness?  What are the officers trying to hide?

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As Pheonix personal injury lawyers, it is our duty to hold wrongdoers accountable.  We, as a public, cannot stand for anyone, let alone police officers, to shoot our pets for no reason.  Our Constitution guarantees us rights and people must be held accountable when they blatantly violate those rights.

Accountability and justice will come.

This was previously posted as a full article on Fox 10, Nicole Garcia Reporting:

http://www.fox10phoenix.com/story/29392990/2015/06/24/attorney-says-chandler-officer-has-history-of-shooting-dogs

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John Torgenson

John Torgenson is a highly experienced personal injury lawyer with over 20 years of practice in Arizona. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah and his Juris Doctor from Notre Dame. John has a proven track record of securing substantial verdicts and settlements, including an $8.25 million recovery for a gunshot injury victim. His expertise has earned him AVVO ratings and recognition as a Super Lawyer.

John is also a sought-after lecturer on personal injury law, sharing his extensive knowledge with peers and aspiring attorneys. Beyond his legal practice, John is an avid golfer and actively supports organizations like the Military Assistance Mission, Arizona School for the Arts, Page Balloon Regatta, University of Arizona Foundation, Junior Achievement of Arizona, and the Tim Huff Pro Bono Golf Classic.

Passionate about advocating for injury victims, John dedicates his career to battling insurance companies and corporate interests, ensuring that the rights of those who are hurt are vigorously defended.