In Richmond, Virginia, a viral video showing Richmond police officers tasing a man’s service dog before making the arrest of the dog’s owner, sparked significant backlash on social media. The police department explained, the video does not show the entire story.
The video showed the officers tasing the dog before arresting the owner, generating strong reactions when viewers did not agree with the Richmond Police Department hurting the dog. Some viewers insisted the police should have waited for animal control officers to arrive at the scene to properly handle the dog without injury. According to a statement by the police, the dog’s owner had been under the influence when he was involved in an hit and run on Monday.
Police said the dog was identified as a service animal and officers did not want to harm him. In this instance, the taser was chosen as a non-lethal option, and when dealing with an aggressive dog, this solution was the safest option available. Officers tried to calm the volatile situation down for nearly 20 minutes repeatedly asking the owner to get his dog under control.
Police identified the suspect as 42-year-old Cody Odom. He was located near 25th Street and Nevin Avenue, where body camera footage showed the confrontation.
In one police officer’s bodycam video, the officer was shown trying to arrest the man, but his dog lunged protectively at an officer. The officer told the man to get control of his dog. A second bodycam video showed the dog’s owner pleading with the officer not to take his dog away, but the pup’s aggressive behavior, which included the dog biting his owner, the choice was made to take the dog to Contra Costa County Animal Services where the dog was examined and did not appear to have any injuries.
The dog has reportedly been turned over back to his owner. Odom has been charged with DUI and hit and run.
What do you think?
Video (Audience discretion is advised as some parts of the video are disturbing)
(Video via NBC)
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