Applaud Police Department for Humane Dog Training

This petition was found on the FORCECHANGE.COM website:

http://forcechange.com/126865/applau...-dog-training/

Posted by Courtney Heitter
Target: Gary McCarthy, Chicago Chief of Police
Goal: Encourage and applaud continuing education about non-violence to domestic dogs

A serious problem is on the rise with many police forces around the country. Almost half of all police shootings in the United States involve dogs, a dangerously high statistic. Police officers all over the country are now scrutinized for shooting a dog to kill out of fear or ignorance, not knowing what to do to mitigate a situation involving an upset dog. To combat this rising issue, the Chicago Police Department recently spread a video to other police forces in the country showcasing what to do in a situation involving an upset, aggressive dog. This video provides extremely important knowledge and will likely result in many saved lives.

The series of videos, each only minutes long, are shown incrementally at police force meetings. The videos highlight certain aggressive behaviors and warning signs that dogs produce as well as the appropriate body language for the police officer to adopt when faced with an aggressive dog. Too often a police officer will kill a dog if he or she feels threatened, rather than attempt to avoid the dog or better understand its anger. With many officers now armed with aggressive dog knowledge, more lives will be spared and less owners will feel the heartache which coincides with losing an integral, furry family member.

Education is an extremely important tool for police officers. The better prepared they are for aggressive dog situations, the more likely a dog’s life will be spared. Most dogs are simply trying to protect their home or family; they more often than not do not wish to attack, only alarm and cause the threat to leave. These videos will help officers better understand this common dog trait. Sign this petition to applaud the Chicago Police Force for producing and sharing these videos, which are bound to save many lives.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Mr. McCarthy,

I am writing to applaud the Chicago Police Department on its activism in regard to better understanding aggressive, domesticated dogs. Your team partnered with other resources to produce a series of films depicting how to react in a potentially dangerous situation involving aggressive dogs. With an increase in dog deaths at the hands of scared police officers, these videos are making their way around the country just in time.

Almost half of all police shootings in the United States involve dogs, which is a problem within itself. Instead of adopting non-threatening body language in dangerous situations, police officers would often kill dogs, causing families intense grief. Thank you for standing up and actively fixing the problem. Many innocent lives will be spared as a result of these training videos.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]