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An Alliance, Ohio police officer has been cleared of any wrongdoing after he shot and killed a dog that, he said, charged at him, leaving him no choice but to fire. But, the officer’s body cam video tells a different story…
Alliance Police Department Patrolman Joshua Tenney was responding to calls about three dogs running loose.
When he located the dogs, he began calling them over with kiss-noises, clapping, and a friendly “Come here, puppy dog! Come here, buddy!”
When the dogs ran toward him, he fired his weapon three times, killing the larger female named China.
In the video above, you can see two of the three dogs running toward Tenney, not barking or growling, but in a playful, happy manner.
Shortly after the shooting, the dogs’ owner, Mark Sampson, arrived with his two young daughters by his side. While out searching for his dogs, Sampson had spotted Patrolman Tenney doing the same and told him, they are “big beautiful dogs that are friendly” and that they “wouldn’t hurt a soul.”
Following the shooting, an internal investigation determined that Tenney followed guidelines when he shot and killed China. They say the dog charged at him in an aggressive manner leaving him no choice but to shoot.
While the officer that shot and killed China was cleared of all charges, the dogs’ owner was cited for allowing dogs to run at large.
Name Not Found
Jan 4, 2018 at 6:01 pm
I don’t understand why it seems the protocol is to pull a gun versus mace when they are purposefully approaching a dog…does it not work on dogs? Is it not as “fun” or “exciting” for the officers? Makes no sense…and no, this was not an aggressive charge…I feel for the owner – very sad situation. It’s why I will never call the cops if my dog roams for some reason – animal control doesn’t seem to shoot them…what gives?
Lizzie
Sep 14, 2017 at 7:20 pm
If I am not afraid of dogs and I have come in contact with some aggressive ones, I did not back down and I did not have a gun only my walking stick (golf club). If I can handle a dog situation, these cops can too. What he did was so wrong. He called them to him and they probably thought, hey, we're gonna get belly rubs then he shoots them and kills China like a coward. That's like telling someone sure come over here, I'm not gonna hurt you then you put a bullet between their eyes. Cops was wrong all away around, no doubt.
Jill K.
Aug 31, 2017 at 3:46 am
This is so wrong!! If I were China's owner I would sue the officer civilly. Since there's evidence to show how it happened, I'd bring his ass to court and make him pay, literally, for his actions somebody needs to hold him responsible and accountable!!!
Marjorie
Aug 15, 2017 at 4:21 pm
I already have. This person is a demented moron.
Rita
Aug 13, 2017 at 9:19 pm
Stop Abuse the Dogs!!!!! Stop Killing the dogs!!!
Dianne Singer
Aug 13, 2017 at 10:11 am
Let's hope karma is a bitch to this so-called "officer". Serve and protect, my ass.
Alliance, Ohio police officers and municipal officials should hang their heads in shame for this officer's viciousness and lies and for failing to punish him.
Queade Di Ilio
Aug 13, 2017 at 9:18 am
The dog did not come aggressively. The other dog did not try to protect him, it was playing with the running dog. Anyone who owns a dog can see this. This cop shit his pants because he is afraid of pit bull type dogs. Why were cops doing this? Is this not what Animal Control does? What a backwards police department. Definately need training with dogs.
gilda kaplan
Aug 12, 2017 at 4:07 pm
What a sad commentary on how the law works, (human and legal). It's obvious the dogs had gotten loose (how?) but they were not menacing any one and were obeying the command "come" which indicated they were pets. The 2 dogs appeared to be playing with each other as they approached the officer. He could have shot the dog in the paw if he felt threatened. The dog did not carry any weapons to harm the officer!! This Department needs some sensitivity training and should go to the nearest "kill shelter" and rescue a dog to give to the family.
Fuck you
Aug 12, 2017 at 9:35 am
Lying pos cops wonder why when shit starts popping off ppl start abushing you fuckers i hope a pack of dogs eats your nuts off and as an ohioian im disgusted
Kat
Aug 12, 2017 at 7:46 am
The dog wasn't charging, was responding to his calls. She was obeying him and wagging her tail. This officer is a liar and a fool!
Carol
Aug 12, 2017 at 2:46 am
This has to stop!!! The police are free to just shoot dogs at will. He calls the dogs, then shoots, and nothing is done???? Dogs are family members, not wild animals. What did this do to the owners, and the children? This man needs to be accountable, and pay for what he did. There is too much of this going on.
Patricia Flynn-Williams
Aug 12, 2017 at 1:13 am
The officer should definitely have been fired and prosecuted, receiving the maximum sentence. What is the police chief thinking to let this go unpunished? The penchant for gratuitous violence is obvious and will manifest in escalating ways.
Dan Stewart
Aug 11, 2017 at 10:16 pm
If this were my dog, in the same circumstance, this creep had better look over his shoulder the rest of his miserable life.
Sandy
Aug 11, 2017 at 8:14 pm
While I do Back The Badge, in this case I CANNOT! Those dogs were not showing aggression whatsoever! They were running to him calling them and were displaying playful behavior as well as interacting among themselves while responding. This was NOT aggressive behavior! The officer should have never called the dogs over to him if he had any doubts about confronting those dogs. I see the officer as the one who acted out of fear from poor education of dag body language. He initiated the encounter and then panicked in my observation. Had he had proper training in dog body language, he would have not shot the dog. How sad that he has now taken a family member away from this family. What he did and how he did it was WRONG!
Ronnie Dispain
Aug 11, 2017 at 6:50 pm
Some cops are trigger happy like this cop,he should be kicked off the force and not be hired at another police dept.
Mischie Thomas
Aug 11, 2017 at 6:29 pm
What trash!!! This is one case that the same thing needs to happen to him. If that scumbag can kill a dog like that then he most definitely will have no problem doing that to a person. I think all of those who said he was innocent are on the same level of evil that he is. Where is "karma" when it is needed!!!
Lin
Aug 11, 2017 at 10:29 pm
These are the officers that shot people in the back and lie about it. Shame on the entire police force for backing him up!!!
Karen Sweatman
Aug 11, 2017 at 2:26 pm
Maybe some thug will "call him out" and put a slug in his head. I'd consider it karma. At the end of the day, cops are just people, and some of them are rotten sons of bitches, like this one. As long as we allow this, it will continue.
Ronnie Dispain
Aug 11, 2017 at 6:45 pm
Amen.
Frances
Aug 10, 2017 at 3:35 pm
If they will do this to a dog, don't think for a second they would not do the same to a human and probably walk away without charges for that also.
Deborah Lynch
Aug 10, 2017 at 2:35 pm
Someone has to start a petition. Make him accountable for his actions. Like it or not the animals are our children. This has to stop.
Ana Walker
Aug 17, 2017 at 3:01 pm
Yes we have to start a petition it's not right what they did. Dogs are family
Lori
Aug 10, 2017 at 2:13 pm
NO GOOD MURDERING BASTARD.THIS ASS HOLE CALLED THE DOGS TO COME BY HIM AND THEN KILLS THE DOG !!!!!!!!