It was a relaxing Saturday afternoon, December 13th, 2014. Not too long before Christmas now! Little did the family know their world was going to shatter…
Everyone was going about their business. 4 year old Bear had been carrying his favorite tennis ball around all day, in and out the open back door, into the privacy-fenced back yard. Meanwhile, a call had come in to Westworth Village, Texas police about a suspicious person nearby. Responding to the call, an officer crept up to their back gate, Bear’s Daddy, Billy Robinson yelled “Don’t shoot my dog!” And Bear’s Mama, Karen Griffin, heard gun shots ring out; Bear’s ball flew out of his mouth and bounced away… Even though the first shot killed Bear, the officer stood over him and emptied his clip into Bear’s lifeless body…
Bear's parents want justice for Bear; they want the officer who shot him and kept shooting his lifeless body to answer for his actions of excessive force and animal cruelty. Mandatory animal training on how to handle dogs with non-lethal means, such as pepper spray and/or tasers is good, but will be inadequate by itself; they want there to be consequences for officers’ actions to be a part of the law. Ideally, they'd like US legislation to mandate such procedures be enacted nationwide. Let's stop this wrongful, tragic killing of our best friends and fur children now!
Update #29 years ago
Bear's family is very grateful to all who have shown their love for Bear and for his family through signing this petition. Things have improved in Texas; there is currently a bill in motion that will ensure police officers will get the training they need in order to hopefully prevent this from happening to other dogs and their families. Please continue to advocate and make your voice heard; change the world one voice at a time. Once again, thank you!
Update #19 years ago
Thank you all who have stepped up, signed this petition and shared it; you are awesome! If you would like to follow the course of this fight for justice, as well as find out more information, please go to Bear's Facebook page and click on Like: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Justice-For-Bear/793923500645305?fref=ts Again, thank you for your support!
