Bruno.....
Donation protected
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.
I am setting up this fund in response to dozens of fellow German Shepard owners who have so kindly offered assistance.
If Rogers County does the right thing and they reimburse Veterinary expenses then remaining funds will be set up as a Scholarship to provide life-saving funds for pets whose owners are financially unable to afford the care.
100% of all funds will be used to cover Veterinary and medical care.
Bruno needs surgery this week - tomorrrow - yesterday.
Please help me save Bruno's leg - he shouldn't be further punished for doing his job. http://www.fox23.com/home
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.
I am setting up this fund in response to dozens of fellow German Shepard owners who have so kindly offered assistance.
If Rogers County does the right thing and they reimburse Veterinary expenses then remaining funds will be set up as a Scholarship to provide life-saving funds for pets whose owners are financially unable to afford the care.
100% of all funds will be used to cover Veterinary and medical care.
Bruno needs surgery this week - tomorrrow - yesterday.
Please help me save Bruno's leg - he shouldn't be further punished for doing his job. http://www.fox23.com/home
Organizer
Angie Harp
Organizer
Owasso, OK