Dog Dies as Officer Writes Ticket - “Chill Out, It’s Just a Dog” - VIDEO
Posted on 2008 under Crimes Against Canines, Just Sad :(, Neglect, News & Updates, Video |16 Aug
I was angered and disgusted when I first read about this the other day and am no less no now.
Krystal Hernandez and boyfriend, Michael Gonzalez, were rushing Krystal’s little poodle, Missy, to an emergency vet at about midnight on August 5th after the dog choked and collapsed. A police traffic stop by San Marcos Police Officer Paul Stephens effectively ended any chance to save the dog’s life, Missy died at the scene.
This is just a sad and tragic story! Krystal and Michael got home from visiting a friend shortly before midnight and fed Missy. She choked and collapsed. They tried to unblock her airway without success, then like most any loving, caring pet owners, they rushed to get emergency help, at a 24-hour veterinary clinic in New Braunfels.
Yes, they were panicked… yes, they were driving at excessive rates of speed, up to 95 mph. Under those conditions, I cannot fault the officers for stopping them. It’s what happened after he stopped them that he can be faulted for. His lack of sensitivity and callousness, inept handling of the situation, effectively killed killed the dog.
Instead of getting a handle on the situation quickly and trying to help, maybe even escorting the young couple to make sure they wouldn’t be an accident, Police Officer Paul Stephens wasted time, told them to “chill out, it’s just a dog, you can always buy another” or words to that effect.
“Instead of helping us, he asked Michael what he was on,” Hernandez said.
She said they begged to be allowed to take the dog to the clinic, also asking that they be allowed to turn themselves in to be ticketed or arrested or for Stephens to detain Gonzalez there while she drove the dog to New Braunfels.
After almost fifteen minutes, every minute precious to a choking dog, after discussing the situation with other officers and finally writing a ticket, Krystal and Michael were finally allowed to leave. But by then it was too late for Missy, the dog had died.
All their begging and pleading fell on deaf, insensitive ears!
Michael Gonzales has filed a formal complaint with the San Marcos police over the Aug. 5 incident.
Police Chief Howard Williams said an internal investigation was begun after Gonzalez complained.
“This was not our finest hour,” Williams said. “It was not handled right by our officer, but whether there was a violation of our policy that is subject to punishment, I don’t know.”
Stephens received a verbal reprimand and counseling on better ways to handle the situation, Police Chief Howard Williams said.
While I believe that chief Williams is trying his best to handle this extremely volatile situation, a little talking to and counseling come a bit short of what is needed for the Officer. There is no way to bring back Krystal’s dog Missy, but this situation is just one more in a long line of offenses by officer across the country in the way they handle animal situations.
“It’s just a dog” truly sums up the way too many people, including officers of the law, think about dogs. They completely miss that to many dogs owners, myself included, our pets are more, much more, then ‘just a dog’! They are our friend, our family members, beloved companions, our furkids.
There’s no excuse, rookie or not, for this officer’s actions. A person should not need to learn compassion. If that’s not already a part of someone’s makeup, then there’s a problem!
Rest in peace Missy! Krystal and Michael, you have my deepest sympathy and compassion for your loss. Missy can never be replaced but hopefully there will be some kind of justice for her death. That officer may as well have held a gun to her little head and pulled the trigger!
Dog Dies as Police Tickets Owner
Email This Post
If you appreciate my
work, why don't you buy my dog a bone? :)
It is only through the kind and generous donations of those who care that I can continue my work, raise awareness and be a voice for those who have no voice of their own. You'll also receive a lovely gift as a token of my appreciation
"Responsible Dog Ownership - Essential Tips for Every Dog Lover"
by Katrina, on August 17 2008 @ 8:55 am
Heartless SOB’s cops can be for sure…. I had one that a freinds beagle was attacked by other dogs that were off leashes ( yes there is a leash law) but becuase the owners were low income the cop didn’t want to to have th owner pay for the medical bills on the beagle of $350. that was stated by law…. Goldie the beagle only lived another year after words…. the cop wouldn’t help the owners and treated it as Oh well… I heard the attack from a local store I was at and went to find out what was going on. Another person driving by stopped and we laoded Goldie and the Grand daughter into thier van as Goldie was rushed off to the vets for bits on her rump. I stayed to get info from the atacking dogs owner. I went onto the vets office and ment Goldies owner there and then we went onto the police staion to report it. Needless to say the cop was very rude asked me if I had gotten into a fight with someone… which I have no idea where that idea came from … the cop was to lazy to do anything…. now I find out he doesn’t like doing paper work … police seem to be twisted at times for sure… Hope this cop gets what is due him cause what goes around comes around
by karen, on August 17 2008 @ 9:38 am
maybe one day this cop will need to be rushed to the hospital and be stopped and then wont make it there in time! in my book this cop is well..just another smart a** cop..but they arent all bad like him…he is probably one that is a coward when the real stuff goes down
“real” cops care about dogs…trust me i know!!!!!
by Admin, on August 17 2008 @ 9:55 am
@Katrina - @karen - The thing is, there are so many wonderful cops out there and in general I have great respect for them, but then you hear stories like this and so many others I’ve written about and these ‘bad apples’ really give all cops a bad name. Every officer should be an ambassador for the police force. Bad apples need to be plucked and thrown away!
by Dorah, on August 17 2008 @ 10:21 am
What an insensitive person that cop is! My brother in law is a cop and he is one of the GOOD GUYS! How can this particular cop sleep at night, knowing that because he wanted to make his quota, a life was lost! Yes, it wasn’t a human but Missy’s life was just as important as the next persons. Him making that comment “It’s just a Dog” is sickening. I understand why they were pulled over and after explaining themselves to him and him seeing Missy in distress, he should have let them go.
by Jen, on August 17 2008 @ 10:36 am
This cop was a heartless sob and my heart goes out to this couple for their loss of their furbaby. I’m so sorry to hear this. Luckily not all cops are like this. When my furbaby escaped from my yeard and was hit by a car, the cops themselves contacted me and when I arrived on the scene, put her in my jeep and gave me escort to the vet’s office and stayed there with me until my family arrived. After that, they stayed in touch with me until they knew how my baby fared. These particular cops in my heart, are NY’s finest. I hope others have the fortune to meet cops like these. Too bad there aren’t more like them !!! Again, I’m so sorry for this couple’s terrible and needless loss.
by dru, on August 17 2008 @ 11:22 am
i’m so very sorry for this NEEDLESS loss of life. “it’s just a dog”!!! i SO hate that expression.
Paul Stephens could have save that wee girl’s life…rest Missy.
i read this yesterday but i was so saddened AND angered that i had 2 wait till today 2 post something…..
by JANET MITCHELL, on August 17 2008 @ 11:33 am
THIS COP IS NOTHING BUT A COLD HEARTED SOB. I HOPE HE NEVER HAS TO RUSH ANYONE IN HIS FAMILY TO A HOSPITAL & GETS PULLED OVER & TREATED LIKE THIS. THIS WAS NOT JUST A DOG IT WAS THEIR FAMILY MEMBER & THIS COP NEEDS TO GOT BACK TO SCHOOL & LEARN ABOUT THE WORD COMPASSION.
by jeffreygriffith, on August 17 2008 @ 1:18 pm
That is sad I wish I could tell the owners how sorry I am for their loss that is one of the only thing I dislike about this group the people that are being hurt don,t know how we feel I just think it would help in the healing if they know we was on there side .I know we will never find out but I would like to know what the cop was thinking I mean you got someone driving fast my guess someone holding the poor dog with please help me look it their eyes nobody is that dumb if they are find another job it could be a child next ….jeffrey
by Nina Marrocco, on August 17 2008 @ 3:49 pm
Oh those poor soul’s, this is just so sad. I hope they not only terminate this pig but he need’s to be charged with cruelty, what should have happened is he should have offered to take the dog in the cruiser to the vet himself.There is no difference between an animal or a person when it come’s to life and death, they have just as much right to immediete care.
by Susan S, on August 17 2008 @ 7:31 pm
Howard Williams, Chief of Police
SMPD_Info@ci.san-marcos.tx.us
512.753.2108
512.753.2190 FAX
Suggest this police chief hear some of the comments about this incident. Please call, fax or E mail your feelings about this incident. I did.
by Jeanette, on August 17 2008 @ 7:59 pm
Is there any way all this can be forwarded on to the police chief there? Will it actually do any good? I know they tend to protect their own unfortunately.
I’m glad to see it angers enough of us the same way. The police are supposed to have compassion, what happened to this particular person’s ? He was more than likely born without it.
by Admin, on August 18 2008 @ 8:14 am
@Jeanette - I never know how much good it can or will do for the ‘powers that be’ to actually see how people feel about things like this. I know that the Chief has no doubt gotten massive feedback about it. You actually can email stories right from this site, just use the little email button under the story and Susan has so kindly provided us with an email address. We can only hope this is looked at as more than just a little ‘mistake’. Will this officer’s next mistake cost the life of a person??
by Hilke van Hove, on August 18 2008 @ 12:31 pm
Maybe I am thick in the head, but isn’t a person held responsible by law to take care of a sick animal, and if he doesn’t he’ll get a fine or goes to jail. And aren’t police officers there to apply the law.?
And seeing the state the driver was in, this officer I’m sorry is better of doing admin in the office then being on patrol. Avoiding strong language here.
by Sarah, on August 18 2008 @ 3:44 pm
Man this story makes me sick
by Jennifer, on August 19 2008 @ 7:00 am
This officer was just enjoying his moment of glory when he pulled over a speeder. If the couple had a child or elderly person they were rushing to a hospital, would the officer have detained them? It’s jerks like him that give others a bad reputation. Most police are very nice and helpful, and this couple had the misfortune to get a “real lemon” who needs serious counseling and suspension from the force and pay a fine to the couple. Rest in peace little dog - you did not deserve this!
by Admin, on August 19 2008 @ 7:01 am
@Hilke van Hove - How right you are Hilke, as usual!!
by Jen, on August 19 2008 @ 9:01 am
Every time I read the updated comments on this and remember the story, it just makes me so sad once again for this couple…it was just so unnecessary for this to happen. Have you heard anything further as to what was done with regard to the heartless cop? Probably and unfortunately, nothing, which will be even worse to hear.
Just wondering.
I love your page, just these stories tug at my heart, so many sad things out there - it’s hard to believe. I could never (and I know I’m not alone) never ever mistreat a furry baby or human. Geeeeze, makes you wonder about the human race. Sorry…just thinking out loud. Can’t understand I guess.
by Admin, on August 19 2008 @ 9:19 am
@Jen - So far as I know, there’s only been a ‘talking to’ and counseling. “Paul Stephens’ supervisors found him not guilty of misconduct in the incident, the police officer was ordered to undergo counseling.” The couple, needless to say, is not the least bit satisfied with the officer receiving only a oral reprimand and are pushing to have him fired. Most likely nothing will come of it but I ll definitely be keeping my eyes open and update if anything new happens.
Jen, definitely with you, could never hurt one of these babies or even, as much as I think about it with some of these POSs, a person. There is something missing, like a heart, in people who can do these kinds of things to the innocent and defenseless.
by Susan S, on August 20 2008 @ 7:01 pm
Check in at http://www.chron.com which is the Houston TX newspaper carrying this story. Sentiment posted by readers is very strong in favor of this one-man-power-trip officer being fired. Again, write:
Howard Williams, Chief of Police
SMPD_Info@ci.san-marcos.tx.us
to make your feelings known. The police chief did reply to me and express regret, but said the dog was already dead. I replied that this was not really the point! The officer — the so-called public servant, whom we pay with our taxes - told a sobbing citizen to “get over it - you can buy a new one”. I REALLY wantthat kind of compassion in MY police officers, don’t you?
by Hilke van Hove, on August 21 2008 @ 6:33 am
Thanks Admin to make all this possible, and thanks Susan for supplying email-address.
Have sent the following
Mr. Willams,
with all due respect I write to you concerning the police officer who failed to show compassion in a matter of live and death because it was only a dog, you can buy another one.
Somebody who neglects or mistreats animals is fined or goes to jail, this citizen did his duty.
The policeforce are there to imply the law. In this case this officer made it impossible for the dog-owner to do his duty. The dog died.
By repremanding this officer verbally only, you are giving the wrong example, it is a major set back for all the animal protection organizations, when the policeforce, who we rely on to protect when needed, does otherwise.
I sincerely hope you rectify this in the manner as to a public apology and any other manner you see fit. Maybe it would be a good idea for this officer to let him work with dogs, guiding dogs, police dogs, animal shelter, vet practice, whatever, to show him what a dog means for people, people’s BEST FRIEND.
Sincerely
Hilke van Hove
by Hilke van Hove, on August 21 2008 @ 6:42 am
Thanks Susan, have written to Howard Williams just now.
Hilke
@Susan S -