An Oklahoma sheriff’s deputy shot a family dog on the front porch of a house while investigating a disturbance call at another home, leaving the dog there bleeding as he went on with his day.
Rogers County sheriff’s deputy Logan Eller, however, left a note on the door, claiming the dog had attacked him.
“We were investigating a crime and your dog attacked our deputy. The dog was shot and we need you to call us.”
But a surveillance video shows the dog only approached the deputy as dogs tend to do when strangers enter their property.
And that was enough to make the award-winning deputy fear for his life.
The dog, Bruno, will survive, but will probably have a leg amputated.
Here is how Bruno’s owner, Angie Kaemmerling Laymon, described the incident on Go Fund Me page she set up to raise money for medical expenses, which the Rogers County Sheriff’s Office refuses to pay:
On Wednesday night, March 2nd my German Shepard was senselessly and cruelly shot by a Rogers County Sheriff Deputy.
There was a call to the Sheriff’s office from a home about half a mile south of us stating they heard gunshots and believed a bullet struck the side of their house. Deputies responded and began investigating. After determining that the shot came from the East, they sent a deputy to question the property owner to the East.
Instead, for reasons yet to be explained, the Deputy turned into my driveway. My property is North, with other properties being between mine and where the call came in. My property does not border either of the properties in question – about half a mile from both and in a different direction. Furthermore, there is a creek and wooded area between my house and my neighbors and several buildings between me and the property in question.
According to my security camera’s, we left home less than 10 minutes before the Deputy arrived. I am heartsick!
The Deputy drove down my long driveway, pulled in behind my vehicle and exited his patrol car. Based upon what I have been told, and also his body language and facial expression – the Deputy heard and saw Bruno barking a warning. Bruno is very protective of our home and family. The Deputy chose to continue towards the house – my German Shepard barked loudly and ran in a wide arch. Within 4 seconds the Deputy shot my dog.
According to the Deputy and confirmed in a video taped interview – my dog never touched the Deputy. My dog did bark loudly. The Deputy said he felt threatened and he panicked and shot the dog. He didn’t pepper spray the dog, he didn’t tase the dog……instead he used lethal force and shot my dog while Bruno was doing his job and protecting our property.
German Shepards are protective, sweet, loyal companions and one of the best family oriented breeds you can find. Bruno was a part of our family. Bruno protected and watched over my kids daily. Bruno walks my kids to the end of the driveway and waits with them for the school bus – rain or shine.
After the Deputy shot my dog – he left a handwritten note telling me that he was attacked by the dog (contrary to his current testimony and contrary to the video). He wrote “I shot your dog” and he asked that I call the Dispatcher in Rogers County.
As if that wasn’t enough……
My kids were at church taking part in Wednesday night youth group. A friend brought them home and the first thing they noticed was the note….and then they discovered Bruno covered in blood, laying on the porch crying and bleeding. My husband and I arrived about 15 minutes later and at first sight we thought he had been shot in the gut and needed to be put down. We were heartbroken!!
Fortunately our vet recommended to at least get him looked at since he was still coherent. We took him to the Emergency Animal Hospital and discovered the bullet was in his shoulder joint – and 2 bones had shattered as well as the bullet.
We did not know if he would live.
Today has been an emotional rollercoaster. I began calling the County Sheriff office early trying to find answers, wanting to know why they were even at our house.
My calls were diverted to voicemail, or a message was taken with promise of a callback – I heard a lot of “I am not at liberty to discuss this case” and, three hours into it I was told that the Deputy was seeking legal counsel from the City Attorney.
The Sheriff did not call me back.
A couple of investigative reporters got involved and made so much more progress than I did!! They stayed after it and actually managed to get a recorded interview with the Sheriff – he confirmed that my dog did not attack.
Tonight Bruno is staying at the hospital because he will not eat or drink and he is in excrutiating pain.
He needs a shoulder replacement or an amputation of his front leg — neither of which is a great option for such an active, energetic dog that was simply protecting his family.
The Deputy left my dog bleeding and dying…. it was nearly 3 hours before we returned home.
Who wounds an animal and then leaves him suffering?
My dog was at least 100 yards into our property from all sides. My dog was protecting his/our home. My dog was doing his job. My dog was giving verbal warning…. my dog DID NOT attack or touch or injure anyone.
Bruno needs surgery – he needs care that only an orthopedic specialist can provide. Bruno needs thousands of dollars worth of medical care.
Will Rogers County do the right thing and pay his vet bills? I don’t know — Bruno doesn’t have weeks to wait and find out. Bruno needs care now.
When local media interviewed Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton, the sheriff said the deputy did not want to shoot the dog, but he had to think of his own safety first. Walton also brought up the old “split second” defense as cops always do to justify their shoot first, ask questions later reaction.
When questioned as to why the deputy left the dog on the porch bleeding, he responded by saying they were not in the “dog ambulance business.”
According to Tulsa World:
“I guarantee you we would have been bitten and injured if we would have tried to load that dog up,” Walton said. “I’m not getting into the dog ambulance business. We can’t do that. We’re not going to do it.
“We have 88,000 people to take care of with four officers on duty. I’m not at all glad that we had to shoot a dog, but I’m very grateful that the deputy wasn’t tore up or put in a situation where he can’t work so I could be another deputy short.”The sheriff continued.“This question has been asked … couldn’t he have Tased it or sprayed it?” Walton said. “He could have while he was getting bit.
“All these people who are offering suggestions on what could’ve or should’ve been done — I’d love to see them demonstrate how you do this.”
Considering mail carriers, meter readers and package deliverers deal with barking dogs on a daily basis without shooting them, we encourage them to call the sheriff to answer his question as to how they would handle the situation.
Call (918) 342-9700 or leave a message on their Facebook page.
