Doggycide in Glorieta, New Mexico

Victoria Baca

You know, it’s been far too long since I last touched on the perennial police-vs.-dog conflict. Here you go:

People in Glorieta will tell you it is not a bad idea to have a guard dog in the yard. Mother of four, Victoria Baca wouldn't live without one - in fact she had two until Thursday morning. She had called State Police to file a report about an online scam and was told that an officer would be there eventually. She told police she had errands to run with her young children and to give her a call when the officer was on his way. A few hours later she got a call, but it wasn't what she expected "That the officer had jumped my fence and that my dog bit him and he killed her," Baca said. State police said the officer thought Baca was home and entered her property - that's when the attack came.

[…]

She said her property clearly has signs warning trespassers of guard dogs and the officer should never have trespassed.

[…]

State Police are investigating the shooting but said the officer was simply responding to a call when he hopped the fence.

They said he was acting in self defense and there is no training for this kind of situation.

"Was there things that could have done different? Absolutely however that's the situation that occurred and so now we'll deal with it," said New Mexico State Police spokesman, Lt. Robert McDonald.

State police said they sympathize with Baca and apologize to her.

"It's too late for an apology. She's gone, an apology isn't going to bring her back," said Baca.

State Police said the officer wasn't hurt in the attack and so far there is no cause for disciplinary action.

I’ve long ago run out of anything particularly new to say with these stories, so let’s move right on to another round of Doggycide Bingo!

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Doggycide Bingo Index

Confirmed hits:

Dead dog

Dog was kept in backyard (with warning labels)

Cop’s first reaction was gunfire

Dog was defensive against intruder

“[N]o cause for disciplinary action”

Excuses: “Oh, well, it happened, too bad”

Cop trespassed (hopped fence illegally)

Total: 7/25
Good luck on the lawsuit, Ms. Baca. No bingo.

(via @radleybalko)

Tags: New Mexico State Police • Glorieta, NM • Victoria Baca • Jilly • Robert McDonald