Maam theyre not going to be able to help him, said Grashorn. Loveland PD Shoots Family's Dog Without Warning, Blames Them For It And then found to be reasonable by his superiors. Nearly a week after the shooting, 19-year-old Alexander Domina remains in the hospital unable to breathe on his own. Grashorn shoots the dog. A couple whose young dog was shot by a police officer in Loveland has filed a lawsuit accusing the officer's supervisors of covering up what happened and claiming that the city has fostered a culture that encourages the use of force. So he did. Grashorn is still on the force, court records state. Jump to. About five minutes into the video, another officer can be seen on scene. The selection changes often, but if you love good Buying or selling a home is the largest financial investment most people ever make. Views from The Posts Editorial Board on current events, Body-cam footage shows police shoot a playful puppy: He was curious and excited to greet this officer. Lawsuit filed after Denver mother called 911 for help, but got punched when officers showed up, Family of man shot and killed by Chicago Police files federal lawsuit, City of Edmonds focuses on public safety amid police officer shortages, Lawsuit claims Lexington homeless woman injured in wrongful arrest, Antioch man joining civil lawsuit against city, Police chief still on duty despite teen accusing him of assault, Suspect in Walmart shooting released, no formal charges filed: HCSO, New information revealed surrounding Aurora PD's latest lawsuit filed against them. "No reasonable officer or reasonable person would have perceived this situation as a threat requiring the immediate destruction of an innocent citizens beloved pet," wrote lawyer Sarah Schielke. He died four days after being shot by a Loveland police officer. Loveland will launch another investigation into police in response to shooting of dog 14-month old Herkimer was shot in 2019 By Reporter Herald Staff | August 28, 2021 at 6:00 a.m.. Lawsuit: Loveland, Colorado, police officer shot puppy that later had Metzler was the champion of ensuring Loveland Police officers were never held accountable. Hes dying, okay!. Schielke said her clients were hesitant about going public with what happened, given the publicity of the Garner case and just given how it really devastating it is to keep reliving this.. Wendy Love and Jay Hamm appear in a Loveland, Colo. police body camera video freeze frame. The expecting mother will need diapers and bottles, but she will also need comfy maternity clothes to wear throughout her pregnancy or a maternity pillow. As the dogs owner, Love, tries to approach the dog, Grashorn can be heard saying, Maam, get away. | With no consequences to the officer whatsoever. "There is no question the death of Herkimer is a tragedy, but this tragedy would not have occurred if Plaintiffs did not trespass or at least secure their dogs with a leash while trespassing," Abramson wrote. Hopp says to the other officer as they watch the video of him dislocating Garner's shoulder. The officer repeatedly told her that an attempt to procure medical treatment would be pointless and did not attempt to call for help. Use the 'Report' link on He was beloved by his subordinates (and his superiors) for his excellent work on this front. Hamm was ticketed for having a "dangerous dog." They did it pursuant to the aforementioned policy of making large, demonstrative showings of allegiance to Loveland businesses. ", Schielke also represents Karen Garner, a 73-year-old woman who filed a. in April claiming that a Loveland police officer fractured her arm and dislocated her shoulder after stopping her for allegedly shoplifting $13.88 worth of items from Walmart. Multiple officers responded, but Grashorn was the first to arrive. So, if a suspect comes at me with a knife, I need to try and Tase him before I shoot him? Emailus. "We have pledged to increase accountability and transparency for our community including any opportunity to seek clarity into specific events. Philip Metzler, Chief Robert Ticer, and the City of Loveland, Colo. No immunity for Loveland cop who shot puppy The suit claims, and the video shows, that Grashorn did not give any warning to Love and Hamm that he was there. Once he saw a dog running towards him, he relished in the opportunity to shoot it and did not care at all about other alternatives. Both said they had no idea why the shooting happened that day. Grashorn then fired twice, hitting the dog in the face and the body, according to the suit. This happened in June 2019 but came Schielkes attention after she filed a lawsuit against Loveland police involved in the rough arrest of dementia patient Karen Garner earlier this year. According to the lawsuit, Wendy Love and her husband Jay Hamm who were making firewood deliveries in Loveland, had stopped in a vacant parking lot next to an apparently vacant commercial building to make some repairs to a large box they were going to use for their final firewood delivery of the day. We have never seen a car in the parking lot there.. . The spacious, modern Austin Fleskes joined the Reporter-Herald team in August 2020 as the newsroom's public safety reporter. Owners of the dog filed a civil suit against the city earlier this week. Why would I? the man responded, given the shooting of his pet. They said in the moment they were just shocked; Love said she didnt even hear the shots go off. The shooting, which took place on June 29, 2019, happened in a vacant lot in Loveland. The Loveland Police Department now faces a civil lawsuit stemming from a 2019 incident where an officer shot a roughly 1-year-old dog who later had to be euthanized. Sort by: Nancy Brger. Please let me see him! Soon after they stopped, Herkimer was shot by Loveland Police Department officer Mat Grashorn who was responding to the trespassing call and saw the dog as a threat; several days later Herkimer had to be euthanized. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Everything about Herkimers face and demeanor was one of curiosity and friendly excitement. Please enter valid email address to continue. The officers were responding to a call asking that the man, who suffered from mental health issues, be removed from the property. Eventually, Love said, the decision was made to put down Herkimer because of what he was going through and the long-lasting effects the shooting would have had. By the police. That is likely due to the officer not activating his camera until after the shooting takes place. Love and Hamm sued Grashorn for an unreasonable seizure under the Fourth Amendment, which is the constitutional provision governing excessive force claims. Reading this site or interacting with the author via this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Privacy Policy | Schielke said she was sending people to serve the suit to the LPD on Tuesday. Walmart refused and instead called LPD to deal with it. The statement continues: LPD understands the publics concerns and the emotions this video elicits. The officer said he was called to the scene the parking lot of a concrete business building with an adjacent picnic table because the business owner thought the man and the woman were loading stuff up.. that is degrading to another person. Herkimer also ran toward Grashorn, and the officer shot him in the head and in the body. Family Sues Loveland Police for Shooting Dog in Parking Lot - Law & Crime The use of deadly force against a person or an animal is taken with the utmost seriousness.. Loveland Cop Surprises Family, Shoots Their Dog in Broad Daylight Dispatchers allegedly asked him if it appeared that Love and Hamm were doing anything to the dumpster, to which he said no. The officer quickly draws his firearm, and as the dog comes within feet of him he fires twice. The lawsuit was made. As for the plaintiffs' claim against Metzler that he retaliated against them after learning they planned to go to the media by ordering they be cited for a vicious dog Moore believed his behavior was not "shocking. Body-worn camera footage captured that day is difficult to watch, and we deeply empathize with the family over the untimely loss of their dog, Loveland City Manager Steve Adams said in a press release. / CBS Colorado, LOVELAND, Colo. (CBS4) - Disturbing video of a Loveland police officer shooting and killing a family dog is now at the center of a civil lawsuit filed in Larimer County District Court. She said they have not been able to live in their cabin since the shooting and now reside in Berthoud. Be Nice. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, It claims police followed the family to the vet and had their own private conversations with treating veterinarians in which they repeatedly told them that Herkimer was dangerous and had attacked police and needed to be euthanized.. | The police department told Denver NBC affiliate KUSA-TV that it does not comment on pending litigation. "And regardless of whether Defendant Grashorn believed Herkimer posed an imminent threat justifying the use of deadly force, the allegations do not establish that shooting the dog was reasonable," he wrote in a Sept. 21 order. Sergeant Metzler was well known within the Loveland Police Department for being the supervisor you call when youve royally screwed something up. 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Jean Carroll civil rape case, Our first look at the high school seniors accused of extreme indifference murder in rock-throwing death of 20-year-old Alexa Bartell, Psychologist dismisses allegedly murderous stepmoms claims she has multiple personalities and can summon vampires from Twilight series, Casey Anthony attorney says he has no idea why accused stepchild-killer Letecia Stauch said he wanted to represent her, Colorado teens charged with extreme indifference murder after 20-year-old driver killed by landscaping rock that smashed through windshield, I wanted my ears pierced: Quartet of Arkansas cops caught on video arresting man for piercing teenage sons ear, Mom who murdered newborn was shocked by how long I had to strangle it before burying baby in parents yard. Dogs are our family. Im not in the business to get bit, shared Grashorn. In 2019, St. Louis paid $775,000 to a woman whose dog was shot during a no-knock SWAT raid over an unpaid gas bill. The owners of the dog are asking for damages in the case. City of Loveland will launch an investigation into police in response Before coming to Loveland, he graduated from Colorado State University in May 2020 with two bachelor's degrees, one in journalism and media communications and one in history. Loveland police facing civil lawsuit for officer who shot a dog in 2019 He was a good boy, the suit reads. No case law prohibited him from using force under those circumstances, Grashorn added. That day, they decided on the lot in the 900 block of North Wilson Avenue . The officer fired two shots at one of the dogs, who died a few days later. But, pursuant to the Dog Protection Act, alternate types of control should be considered prior to the use of deadly force against a dog and, if feasible, allow the owner the opportunity to remove the dog from the immediate area., The suit claims that the day after Love went in to issue her complaint, Sgt. I cant believe you fucking shot him! the man appeared to yell from the distance but he was a bit hard to make out. It's the same thing.". Colorado Police Officer Sued for 'Recklessly' Shooting Family Dog One, later identified as Herkimer, turns and runs toward the officer.
