A Superior Court in Fresno, California awarded a family $800,000 in damages on Wednesday, after sheriff deputies were found to have violated the civil rights of the family entering their home and had no justification for killing their dog Scooby.
According to the Fresno Bee, it had been in June 2018 at the southeast Fresno home of Veronica Ordaz Gonzalez and Jose Ramos Santiago when police arrived and told the family they were looking for a suspect who had vandalized his parents’ vehicle. The deputies were informed the suspect might be at their home and wanted to search the house, however the family told the officers they did not know the suspect and declined to allow the deputies into their home.
Although the deputies later stated the family had given them permission to search their home, the owners version was much different. Veronica and Jose were handcuffed while deputies searched their house, and at the same time, officers tied up the family dog while a K9 officer and his handler continued the house search.
Scooby struggled to get loose and ran towards the backyard where a deputy shot him and stated Scooby had bitten the leg of the K9. At an examination of the K9 officer, there were no bite marks.
Scooby suffered in the backyard before he died, and at no time did the deputies render any first aid to the dying dog.
The suspect was not in the family’s home.
Rest in peace Scooby. We are saddened that humans let you down. No doubt dogs are better than many humans.
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I am so sorry for Scooby and his family. None of them deserved to be treated so terribly.The deputies were absolutely disgusting and cruel. Whilst money will never bring back a loved one, the amount might make “bullies with badges” think twice before they kill someone’s precious animal companion.
Scooby, I know you are in Heaven. Please look for MacKitty and join his wonderful snuggle buddies group. RIP amongst loving friends.