Investigate Police Shooting of Pet Dog
When Victoria Baca called the police to report that she had fallen victim to an internet scam, New Mexico State Police said they would come by her house. Baca asked the police to call before they came; instead, an officer arrived unannounced while Baca was out, ignored Baca's "Beware of Dog" sign, and hopped the fence to her property.
When Baca's dog, Jilly, approached the officer, he shot and killed her pet. Baca and her 4-year-old son arrived home to find Jilly dead on their front porch.
Though a spokesperson for the New Mexico State Police has apologized to Baca, the State Police claims "the officer was only acting in self defense" and that there is "no cause for disciplinary action."
Act now to tell the New Mexico State Police to conduct a full, impartial investigation into the shooting of Victoria Baca's dog, Jilly, and to appropriately discipline the officer in accordance with the findings of the investigation.
We the undersigned call on you to conduct a full, impartial investigation in the shooting of Victoria Baca's dog, Jilly, and to take appropriate action to discipline the officer involved, in accordance with the findings of the investigation.
When Baca called the police, she instructed them to call before coming to her house; instead, an officer arrived unannounced while Baca was out, ignored Baca's "Beware of Dog" sign, and hopped the fence to her property. Even if Baca's dog, Jilly, did attack the officer, the officer had already taken several actions that unnecessarily put him at risk.
We are particularly concerned that Lt. Robert McDonald has already stated that "the officer was only acting in self defense" and that there is "no cause for disciplinary action," both of which suggest that the investigation will not be impartial.
We therefore urge you to conduct a full, impartial investigation into the shooting of Baca's dog. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
