Jerome

See here BBC NEWS | UK | England | Nottinghamshire | Police to face dog death charges

Timwinner

iTrader: (3)

He should have known better, It was an obvious accident no doubt about it but he should have known better.
I would expect an example to be made of him, The offense is IMO not a prison sentence (and I say that from a legal stand point not a personal one) but it will be a large fine and his job.

tarmac terror

iTrader: (2)

Wouldn't like to see the guy loose his job over this. Wont be the courts decision anyhow - I guess it will depend on the view taken by Professional Standards / IIB that will decide his fate within the force.

Is it normal practice for dog handlers in UK forces to take dogs home with them? Wonder if there is more to this than has been reported?

+Doc+

What are the penalties for this offence?

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

£20k fine / 51 weeks imprisonment and a possible ban from keeping animals are the max.

As Tim suggests, an immediate prison sentence is unlikely.

SteveScooby

iTrader: (2)

Yes it is

TopBanana

It was clearly a mistake. How is this in the public interest?

hodgy0_2

because some people put him in the same league as child murderers

Jonnys3

My Mrs left our daughter's rabbit out in the sun and buggered off to work forgetting about the rabbit, that very same day on which the dog died, and guess what, the rabbit was fried too. It doesn't mean to say she's worthy of a prison sentence. Accidents happen, it's just how it is. Why people want to see the dog handler persecuted is beyond me. I can't see what all the fuss is about. **** happens, people make mistakes.

skid11

iTrader: (1)

and link it to the steven gerrard thread..and i have no idea why??

ScoobyWon't

Talk in the office today is that he's resigning. I'll post more if and when I hear more.

Interestingly enough, tributes are still arriving at the shrine at FHQ. I saw a young girl dropping off some flowers when I was there on Monday morning.

Lee247

I think it was a tragic error and I bet he is feeling absolutely terrible. We often see the Police dog handlers where we live. They adore their dogs.

I don't feel he deserves a prison sentence as I think his conscience (sp) over what has happened will be sore for a very long time to come.

talizman

iTrader: (1)

I'm seriously questioning his common sense and judgement. As a dog lover/owner, its blatantly obvious (to me) that you don't leave a dog in a car on a summers day. I bet when he was driving in 28 degree heat he had the aircon on full blast AND the windows down, yet he expects 2 dogs to be okay in what is tantamount to a microwave oven!

Not worthy of a prison sentence IMO as stupidity isn't a crime, but not sure he has the common sense to serve the public....

speedy steve

As a self confessed dog fan, & also having an educated disslike for "the police" not them all obviously, but the increasing number of little ***** with Hitler complexes.. my opinion is bound to be biased against the guy.

But honestly, prison is well over the top & I seriously doubt it was intentional,
so its a case of negligence / due care rather than murder.

Loose job as handler & or forced "retirement" definately.
Ban from owning animals for a prescribed period of time also definately.

Big fine, whats the point ? where does the cash go ? nowhere usefull you can be sure of that........

Legally compelled to donate to a "dogs" charity would make more sense.

SS

Jonnys3

WTF? Is this ACCIDENT not being blown way out of proportion - just how many people were directly affected by this?

Leslie

The question is, how would you feel about being left locked up in such a way, and would you actually feel that the man who did it bears no real responsibility having left you through no fault of your own in a situation that you could do nothing about? This would be while you were gradually suffocating of course!

Those poor dogs were left to suffer a very unpleasant and lingering death. He was their handler and deserves all he gets in the court for having been so careless when they were in his charge.

Do you really reckon that those dog's lives were of no importance?

Les

Timwinner

iTrader: (3)

When I worked in response on a few occasions I went to less desirable estates after reports of animal mistreatment.
I have found dogs left to starve and have to eat there own mess and sleep amongst other dead animals.
I went to one house were the guy had over 10 dead cats (it was hard to tell the amount due to the state of them) and two dead dogs in his shed, He said they just keep dying... He was'nt feeding them, he thought they would find there own food.

I have rescued animals with burns, cuts, broken bones, missing eyes.... You name it. Not one of those people have EVER faced a custodial sentence for it.
For this guy his dog's would have been his life, If a dog handler is ill the dog stays at home with him, if the dog is ill the handler stay at home with it.
They take them everywhere and do everything for them. I have friends that still work in the Police as dog units and I see the amount of love and care that goes into there dogs.
This guy really was an idiot, He made a MASSIVE error of judgment. He will no longer work in the Police, I would be amazed if he finds anther job very easily due to the press attention.
His punishment has already been more harsh than anyone elses and he is yet to go to court!!
I have never seen a floral tribute outside a flat in a high rise were I have helped recover 10's of animal bodies.

I dont know what my point is, I guess its that this one has been dealt with very well by the Police and the RSPCA and it should be put to bed now.

Jonnys3

And that's the point i was trying to make, albeit probably not very well. What's done is done, get over it. It was a tragic accident not premeditated suffering, which the likes of tim see on a daily basis.

ScoobyWon't

I failed to find out anything new today as I spent most of it at A&E with a pissed up driving instructor who was 5 times over the limit and everyone else went to the end of term riots in Bulwell.

At the end of the day, I don't see how this chap can receive a fair trial with the amoun of media coverage that this story has received.

jasey

Surely the question here is what sort of retards are getting into the police force nowadays.

Your average 10 year old probably knows it's not a good idea to leave a dog in a locked car on a hot day !

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

I disagree with the accident comments.. this man is trained to look after these animals.. its his job.

From an none animal loving point of view (not mine) he cost the tax payer about £14k in training costs ! and another 14k for the next set to replace them.

I think of it the same way Les does, how would I feel being left to die like that ?

Even the rabbit left out to die in the sun ... its not a casual mistake .. your wife caused terrible suffering for a "mistake" she made and should feel really bad about it .. if she doesn't then she doesn't deserve to keep animals.

I have no problem with people who don't care about animals, just don't have one.

Trout

iTrader: (1)

There is also the point of balance. We know that in the same period a number of civilains suffered the same terrible tragedy due to their negligence. It is only fair that the police are seen to go through the same due process.

A just outcome would be to give up his job (which apparently he has and this would have been a job he would have worked hard and competed hard to get) and to do 20 hours community service at the local Dog's Trust.

I suspect the average civilian would receive a caution or a small community service sentence or a fine. A custodial sentence is surely only appropriate for a repeat offender.

cster

I wonder why we haven't been treated to one of those high profile arrests? You know the type - where the police get all the press out and then arrest and cuff the suspects at dawn in the full glare, so we can see that there is justice for all.

Jonnys3

Trust me Pimmo she still feels bad about the rabbit. The rabbit had been the family pet for several years and was loved, cared for, and adored with obession by my wife and our 2 daughters. Thousands of hours (and £s) were spent attending to that rabbit's every needs (come rain, snow, or shine), but I ain't gonna persecute the wife for the rest of her life cos of a simple (yet fatal) mistake - it was an accident - aren't we are all prone to human error?

The manner in which the kids took the loss was devastating - that in itself would be punishment enough for anyone - but they too are over it now and they certainly don't hate their mum becuase they were witness to the love she showed it over the years.

Leslie

No I have to say you are trying to excuse a man who does not deserve it.

He was the handler, and he was in charge of those dogs and responsible for their welfare.

Its not a tragic accident but instead down to shameful carelessness. Whatever he was doing at the time, his first thoughts should have been for those poor dogs. He deserves what he gets for neglecting them and their welfare at the time.

Try as you might, you cannot write the matter off as something which is of no real consequence.

Les

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Negligence ? yes, but I wouldn't stop his family having/enjoying their pet dog as a result.

Fine would be adequate, but as a trained dog handler he should know how to care for his charges.

I put mine in the car on Sunday ( heavy showers, little sunshine, MK II Escort to load on a trailer... ) and they were panting within five minutes, even with all the windows open, so had to drag them back out.

Tragic waste of an expensive resource.

dunx

Simon K

Also, this guy isnt a normal dog owner, he's a police dog handler and his dog isnt his pet, its his partner.

SBK

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

and I feel bad for them, as an animal lover myself I understand how bad they must feel.

In my opinion your wife and kids are the kind of people that should have animals, yes everyone makes mistakes and the fact that they feel for it shows it was just that, a horrible mistake.

I would say letting a rabbit play in the back garden and forgetting about it, is not even close to being the same as leaving two GSD in a van in the sun ...

Jonnys3

Not really, I just think folks are over-reacting on way too big a scale. People are too quick to overlook the fact that up until the morning of this tragedy, the dog handler had been regarded as one of the best in his unit for years. I'm not saying he should get away scott-free, but it's hardly the crime of the century is it?

This whole thing has simply been blown way out of proportion for me, and those blowing it out of proportion need to get over it.

Diesel

Still no detail, name or explanation/excuse. Dont know therefore how everyone is drawing so many dismissive conclusions?

I dont care about any fine; this is about morality not cash. in my view such an action deserves a few days in jail. No such 'mistake' is possible given this was his specialist and trained job/career. what a horrible needless death. D