Watch the story from WPBF-TV
It is against policy to pull out the camera on the job but a St. Lucie County, Florida firefighter’s cell phone video is being used as evidence to support a cop’s decision to shoot a pit bull. Fort Pierce Police released the video yesterday to WPBF-TV. The TV station edited out the actual shooting but left in the laughter and some comments of the firefighters who watched the drama unfold while trapped in their rig. Some of the words used by the firefighters were bleeped.
The TV station reports the firefighter with the cell phone camera was spoken to about the violation of department policy, but no disciplinary action has been taken. As for the wounded dog, the penalty was a bit more harsh. It was put down and tested for rabies.
In a statement, St. Lucie County Fire Chief Ron Parrish addressed the issue of the laughter and comments from the firefighters saying, “It’s a reaction to the situation. We don’t condone the comments, but it’s a reaction.”
The video shows a pit bull running in the direction of a police officer, the police officer taking a step back and firing a round that grazes the dog’s face.
Police said the dog could not be stopped, even after being stunned twice with a Taser gun.
“We had rescue workers trapped inside their vehicle and a Comcast vehicle with a worker inside fearful to step out, ” said Capt. Gregory Kirk. “It was a menace and a threat. So the officer’s actions were appropriate and actually commendable for him to react so quickly.”
Also on STATter911 …
- Watch this vehicle fire. A few blasts of heat from Florida. – May 6, 2011
- UPDATED – Dash-cam video: Cop fires two shots to save woman from burning vehicle. Unusual forcible entry on I-95 in Boca Raton, Florida. Interview with Officer Jimmy Jalil. – December 2, 2010
- Quick Takes: April 25, 2011. – April 25, 2011
- Must see video: Driver fired, lieutenant demoted over fire engine road rage incident in Orange County, Florida. – June 9, 2011
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HaaaaaaaHaaaaa. Thats probably the same reaction that would have come from my Truck and crew!!
Dweebs
I don’t believe that is anything but “defensive laughter”. I’ve been guilty of that myself over the years. There’s not much you can do about it, it just comes out when your brain is trying to catch up to what you are witnessing, or something you did.
Why would the dumbass cops submit the video with sound? Not smart enough to delete it? Idiots! Never trust a cop.
Oldhead you are a retard. It was a firefighter who took the video and who also allowed it to get published. I mean really, some firefighter publishes a video of him and his “crew” laughing at an animal getting shot? They are just asking to be made an example of. Public perception is reality. This idiots just made their fire service look bad. Basically, the chief has to discipline them to maintain “face” in the public’s opinion. (Oh yeah and I also believe pit bulls are a useless breed. So save the whole you must be a animal lover drama for someone else.)
Pitbulls a useless breed, ? You are a useless human
That was hot!!! I hate pitbulls…been on way to many pit attacks, so no sympathy from me! GREAT JOB COPPERS!
you asshole my pit is the sweetest dog, maybe because we treat her like dogs deserve to be treated. Maybe you live in the wrong area where they are treated like symbols or fought probably by people like you
Pit bulls are killing people on a regular basis. This cop saved lives. Look at http://www.dogsbite.org for the terrible things these fighting breeds are doing to people, especially children. People make money from pit bulls so they defend them, but pit bulls are NOT pets.
and whose fault is that, the dogs how bought the lousy owners, who fight them, or put heavy chains on them to make them mean
you are all a bunch of complete morons….
I have a pit who is the sweetest dog, everyone loves her , don't make dumb comments unless you own one and raise it right
SHUT UP "EDDY" I HAVE TWO PITBULLS, IT'S NOT THE PITBULL THAT ATTACKS IT'S THE OWNER WHO RAISES THEM TO BE AGGRESSIVE AND VIOLENT. YA KNOW LIKE THE TWO GENIUSES WHO BELIEVED IF THEY FLEW A PLANE INTO THE TWIN TOWERS AND KILLED ALL THOSE PEOPLE THEY WILL MEET ALLAH AND BE IN PARADISE??? RAISED TO BE A KILLER FROM BIRTH! YOUR A STEREO TYPED IGNORANT FOOL WHO HAS NO IDEA WHAT THERE TALKIN ABOUT.. IF U CAN MAKE MONEY DEFENDING A PITBULL FILL ME IN… CUZ I DON'T MIND DOING IT FOR FREE ALL DAY LONG. GO READ A BOOK YOU LAME
If you are all firefighters, I am ashamed of all of you and your stupid comments. My brother is a firefighter and at their firehouse, they are making shelters for feral animals, not laughing when one is murdered. And for Eddy, you are the one that is an idiot. I have a 10 year old pitbull who is part of my family. She has never been bred nor has she ever been fought so how would I have made money from her. Again, ignorant statements. Know your facts before you spout off stupid comments.