Canine Encounters
Files
Date
2018
Authors
Tobey, Michael
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT)
Abstract
Description
It is estimated that approximately 10,000 dogs are killed by law enforcement officer in the United States each year (Ozias, 2015). One study indicated that a majority of these killings resulted from unprepared officers encountering canines in the performance of their typical duties (Texas Municipal Courts Education Center, n.d.). It is likely based on the number of dogs with registered owners in the United States that law enforcement officers will encounter dogs in one out of every three houses they visit. This means that dogs should be a serious concern for all law enforcement officers as well as their respective departments. Law enforcement officers should receive training in canine behavior to be better equipped in handling their encounter resulting in fewer officers and members of the public injured by or as a result of an encounter with a dog, to lessen department liability and provide a better reputation for the department within the community they serve.
Keywords
Human-animal relationships, Dogs, Police-community relations