Dog shot & killed by police during armed robbery in Cali.

[Shaun]

As posted by Karl in the Bay...

Hawthorne police are receiving threats after a video goes viral showing an officer killing the 80-pound Rottweiler when it jumped out of a car and lunged at police while its owner was handcuffed.

Leon Rosby arrived at 137th Street and Jefferson Avenue in Hawthorne on Sunday evening to videotape a police standoff. He brought along his 2-year-old Rottweiler, Max.

He put the dog on a leash and began filming. Hawthorne police deemed Rosby's actions interference and placed him under arrest. By this point, Max was in the backseat of Rosby's car, but the arrest upset him. He began barking, jumped out of the car and lunged at officers.

One of the officers drew a gun and fired four times. Dozens of residents watched the shooting, with some shrieking and moaning. Handcuffed, Rosby looked away in horror.

The incident Sunday was caught on tape and went viral on the Internet this week, sparking outrage and even drawing threats directed at the Hawthorne Police Department.

Some community leaders are calling for an investigation into the officers' actions, and Rosby said he still can't believe what happened.

"I've never seen someone that close to me get killed like that," Rosby, 52, said in an interview.

Rosby, an ordained minister now working as a licensed contractor, said he was filming the crime scene to protect the civil rights of those under investigation by police. When officers questioned him, he said, he asserted his right to record.

Hawthorne police Lt. Scott Swain said in a statement that Rosby was walking too close to law enforcement officers with Max, who weighed 80 pounds. The music coming from his car added to the distraction, authorities said, and made a "dangerous situation" at the crime scene.

In an interview, Swain would not pass judgment on the shooting.

"I'm not saying it's justified, but even when it's justified, there are some learning points," he said. "Could we have done anything different? We'll look at all those facts."

In March, Rosby filed a lawsuit against the city of Hawthorne and several officers in the Police Department, alleging that he was assaulted and brutalized in a July 2012 incident. Rosby said he has also filed numerous complaints against individual officers.

One of the officers named in the lawsuit was at the crime scene Sunday night, according to police, but was not involved in Rosby's arrest or the shooting of his dog.

Rosby was released from custody Monday morning and, according to his attorney, no charges have been filed against him.

The Police Department has launched an internal inquiry that is standard whenever an officer discharges a firearm. The department will also forward evidence to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office for a separate investigation.

Rosby's arrest and the shooting of his dog have gained global interest online and generated outrage on social media.

The original video of the shooting has received more than 1 million views. Comments critical of Hawthorne's police officers, including some direct threats, are also flooding the department's Facebook page, phone lines and email accounts.

The department is investigating all "credible" threats and strengthening security, Swain said, although no details were provided.

Video in the spoiler, it may upset some people though.

WDBZr4ie2AE

Is filming the police illegal now? I don't understand how it can be construed as obstructing the crime scene when he was the opposite side of the street. Just another sad and sickening example of police brutality.

I can understand the frustration with people filming everything, and I'm sure Charlie Brooker will have a field day with his whole "**** everything modern" spiel, but arresting people for it is way OTT.

[lostalex]

My best friend is VERY afraid of dogs. She's even afraid of tiny dogs like pugs. Maybe the cop had a phobia like my best friend. Some people really are afraid for their lives around dogs.

[Lee.]

If a Rottweiler lunged at me and I had a gun in my hand, I'd shoot it.. No question about it

[GiRTh]

If a Rottweiler lunged at me and I had a gun in my hand, I'd shoot it.. No question about itOK but what about a trained police officer. Should the trained police officer disregard his training and panic like this idiot. He had a gun the dog had nowt, not a fair fight in my books.

[lostalex]

That guy was harassing the police clearly, unfortunately the dog had to pay for his idiot owners behavior.

[lostalex]

OK but what about a trained police officer. Shouldn't the trained police officer disregard his training and panic like this idiot. He had a gun the dog had nowt, not a fair fight in my books.
A Rottweiler is just as much a lethal weapon as a gun. especially if the dog is trained to fight, which is highly likely in neighborhoods and communities like this.

[Lee.]

OK but what about a trained police officer. Should the trained police officer disregard his training and panic like this idiot. He had a gun the dog had nowt, not a fair fight in my books.

Are police trained to fight devil dogs with their bare hands?

[GypsyGoth]

Pretty shocking.

That guy was harassing the police clearly, unfortunately the dog had to pay for his idiot owners behavior.

I agree.

[GiRTh]

A Rottweiler is just as much a lethal weapon as a gun. especially if the dog is trained to fight, which is highly likely in neighborhoods and communities like this.Already with the sweeping assumptions - 'neighborhoods and communities like this'. What are you trying to imply with a statement like that? Note how the police officer still has the gun on the dog even when its on the floor clearly dying with blood spurting over the pavement. Is that the kind of policing you want in your neibguhood? In countries like Jamaica this kind of tings happens all the time. My dad was telling me the other day about how a police officer shot and killed a woman who gave him a bit of stick in the street. Just to clarify, he lost his temper and shot and killed her for verbally abusing him. Is that what you want cuz thats what the police want?

[Lee.]

A Rottweiler is just as much a lethal weapon as a gun. especially if the dog is trained to fight, which is highly likely in neighborhoods and communities like this.

I agree. I doubt the dog was looking for cuddles when he went for the policeman

[lostalex]

Already with the sweeping assumptions - 'neighborhoods and communities like this'. What are you trying to imply with a statement like that? Note how the police officer still has the gun on the dog even when its on the floor clearly dying with blood spurting over the pavement. Is that the kind of policing you want in your neibguhood? In countries like Jamaica this kind of tings happens all the time. My dad was telling me the other day about how a police officer shot and killed a woman who gave him a bit of stick in the street. Just o clarify, he lost his temper and shot and killed her for verbally abusing him. IS that what you want cuz thats what the police want?

ummm, what?

The cops killing a dog that was trying to attack them is not the same as killing a woman for mouthing off. I really don't see how you can draw a comparison.

[Drew.]

someone posted the video on twitter yesterday, there was definitely no need to shoot the dog.. taser or pepper spray would have been enough, no way did the dog need shooting

[Nedusa]

I think the Officer had two choices either Shoot the Dog or wait until the Dog had ripped most of the flesh of his leg/arm and then shoot the Dog.

I think it's a No brainer....!!!!

[GiRTh]

ummm, what?

The cops killing a dog that was trying to attack them is not the same as killing a woman for mouthing off. I really don't see how you can draw a comparison.Where is the dog trying to attack him? My daughters dog jumps up on me like that all the time.


My point is, if the police can shoot a dog when its not clear its attacking them, and I counted three policeman in that clip. Surely three trained police can handle one dog without having to shoot to kill.

[Shaun]

How is filming something from a few yards away harrassment? Why weren't the filmers of the YouTube video arrested?

[Drew.]

Where is the dog trying to attack him? My daughters dog jumps up on me like that all the time.


My point is, if the police can shoot a dog when its not clear its attacking them, and I counted three policeman in that clip. Surely three trained police can handle one dog without having to shoot to kill.

agreed

[lostalex]

How is filming something from a few yards away harrassment? Why weren't the filmers of the YouTube video arrested?

I saw him sticking his middle finger up and shouting obscenities at them. they seemed to ignore him at first, then he continued on and on and on... he was clearly distracting them from what they were there to do. So i guess that is "obstruction".

[Ramsay]

Interview with the owner

VzvJzqZ8iVY

Dog's name is the same name as my own dog :(

[lostalex]

Interview with the owner

VzvJzqZ8iVY

Dog's name is the same name as my own dog :(

I notice there are no actual tears. this guy is so full of it. Him acting like an idiot is what got his dog shot.

[Niamh.]

If a Rottweiler lunged at me and I had a gun in my hand, I'd shoot it.. No question about it

That guy was harassing the police clearly, unfortunately the dog had to pay for his idiot owners behavior.

A Rottweiler is just as much a lethal weapon as a gun. especially if the dog is trained to fight, which is highly likely in neighborhoods and communities like this.

I agree with these ^

[arista]

When he put the dog in his Car
the window was open to much

The Dog did not know whay was going on
The owner should have made it Sit still.

In the Video you can see the dog bite the cop
Then he shoots it.
Thats fair, sadly

The owner of the Dog messed up.


Tragic

[Roy Mars III]

More the owner's fault than the officers. They probably should have tried to do something else besides shoot the dog, but in the spur of the moment they reacted.

[LikeABoatOnWater]

Owners fault. The poor dog was put in that position by its retarded owner.

[GiRTh]

Are police trained to fight devil dogs with their bare hands?I would hope Police are trained to deal with much more than one dog without shooting to kill. In my world shoot to kill is the final straw but it seems I'm alone on that one.

[Ryan57]

Terrible to see. :(

Agree with Shaun in regards to the harassment and the other guy filming.

No need to shoot at all. The dog wasn't even a threat until the policeman tried to grab its lead. Total bastard that did it.

[arista]

Terrible to see. :(

Agree with Shaun in regards to the harassment and the other guy filming.

No need to shoot at all. The dog wasn't even a threat until the policeman tried to grab its lead. Total bastard that did it.


No the dog attacked that cop
The Owner should have made it Sit Still



The Cop was correct to shoot it
its a deadly dog,sadly

[GiRTh]

a9fCK6Y0bu4

Apparently the police were there to deal with an hour and a half stand off in the neighbourhood. Suppose if they've come out tooled up then they may as well shoot something. So there were more like a dozen police. A dozen police cant deal with one dog. Pathetic.

[Roy Mars III]

they were there for an armed robbery call.

The owner had his music blasting on his car radio. The officers asked him to turn it down, he wouldn't

[Emmyasdfghjkl]

wow that is ****ing disgusting to be honest, think a bloody police man would know how to handle a ****ing dog without killing it, stupid ****.

[Niamh.]

Actually curiosity got the better of me and I watched a little bit of it. The dog actually didn't lunge at the cop at all he snapped at the Police man when he tried to grab it's lead. If I were a cop in that situation I would have uncuffed the man and told him to put the dog back in the car and close the window up further........or else I'll shoot it.

[Shaun]

The Owner should have made it Sit Still

He was kinda preoccupied.

[lostalex]

He was kinda preoccupied.

Ohh, so you think the OWNER was too preoccupied to reason with the dog, but the cops weren't?? are you listening to yourself?

[Roy Mars III]

I don't think you can point the blame at one party. You have to spread the blame around.

The owner should never have been there, he should have made sure to roll up his windows up, the cops should have tried to deal with the dog before shooting it.

[Shaun]

Ohh, so you think the OWNER was too preoccupied to reason with the dog, but the cops weren't?? are you listening to yourself?

They weren't handcuffed and being escorted away by three other men, no.

[lostalex]

T5Ws9Rw5ics

[arista]

He was kinda preoccupied.

But he was put Forward to tell the Dog
They pushed him forward (ref - your video)


Its the Owners Fault 100%

[GiRTh]

T5Ws9Rw5icsAre you saying the dog was trained to attack? And I suppose you have evidence to back this up or is this another of your sweeping assumptions like the - 'in these neighbourhoods' - comment you made earlier.

[lostalex]

Are you saying the dog was trained to attack? And I suppose you have evidence to back this up or is this another of your sweeping assumption like the - 'in these neighbourhoods' - comment you made earlier.

It's an assumption every police officer should make for their own safety.

[Samuel.]

Shooting the dog was completely unnecessary. Surprised people are arguing against that.

The whole situation is a mess.

[lostalex]

Shooting the dog was completely unnecessary. Surprised people are arguing against that.

The whole situation is a mess.

How do you know it was unnecessary? Using Girth's logic why don't you prove that the dog wouldn't have killed those officers?

[lostalex]

Are you saying the dog was trained to attack? And I suppose you have evidence to back this up or is this another of your sweeping assumptions like the - 'in these neighbourhoods' - comment you made earlier.

Why do you think the dog got out of the car unless it was trying to protect it's owner? Clearly it got out of the car to try to protect it's owner and to attack the officers.

[GiRTh]

Why do you think the dog got out of the car unless it was trying to protect it's owner?WHo knows why the dog got out the car? Who knows if the dog was the biggest softy you'll ever come across? Things that are known - 4 police cars, at least three armed police responding to a stand off situation, Cali police carries night sticks too don't they? Given this you still think shoot to kill was the only action. OK then but I find it amazing that you dismiss my point about the policing in Jamaica as irrelevant cuz it looks like you'd like similar policing in your neighbourhood. If that's what you want then who am I to argue :thumbs:

[lostalex]

WHo knows why the dog got out the car? Who knows if the dog was the biggest softy you'll ever come across? Things that are known - 4 police cars, at least three armed police responding to a stand off situation, Cali police carries night sticks too don't they? Given this you still think shoot to kill was the only action. OK then but I find it amazing that you dismiss my point about the policing in Jamaica as irrelevant cuz it looks like you'd like similar policing in your neighbourhood. If that's what you want then who am I to argue :thumbs:

that's totally unfair, the 4 police cars were for a completely unrrelated incident to this, the police were there to deal with a completely separate criminal activity.

The only reason the police even came over to that man is because he was harassing and abusing them.

The police were not there to deal with a dog, obviously the dog caught them by surprise and the officer feared for his/her life and shot the dog. You saw how fast it happened. all of this monday morning quarterbacking is pathetic, you have no idea how you would react if you were that officer and all of a sudden had an angry rottweiler coming at you. The Rottweiler was clearly upset about it's owner being arrested.

[GiRTh]

The officer feared for his life,with 4 police cars and about a dozen heavily armed officers less than a few feet away from a dog whose owner was handcuffed? OK if you say so. :thumbs:

[Shaun]

How do you know it was unnecessary? Using Girth's logic why don't you prove that the dog wouldn't have killed those officers?

That's not how proof works. Theoretically, I cannot prove the dog wouldn't have morphed into a green telephone. You can't shoot things and then ask people "PROVE IT WOULDN'T HAVE KILLED ME FIRST"

uh... because you just killed it?

[Kazanne]

OMG......bastards

[lostalex]

That's not how proof works. Theoretically, I cannot prove the dog wouldn't have morphed into a green telephone. You can't shoot things and then ask people "PROVE IT WOULDN'T HAVE KILLED ME FIRST"

uh... because you just killed it?

umm, yea, that was the point of my post, I was pointing out how silly it was to say "prove the dog would have killed the officer" It's stupid to ask for proof like that.

OBVIOUSLY the officer felt in danger though, so he or she had every right to defend him/herself.

I was responding to all the people that said that the officers needed to PROVE that the dog was going to kill them before they shot it. You cannot prove something that didn't happen. You cannot prove a negative.

[lostalex]

The officer feared for his life,with 4 police cars and about a dozen heavily armed officers less than a few feet away from a dog whose owner was handcuffed? OK if you say so. :thumbs:

WTF does 4 empty police cars have to do with it? Can you please explain to me how 4 empty police cars will defend you against an attacking Dog. Please tell me. :conf:

[GiRTh]

WTF does 4 empty police cars have to do with it? Can you please explain to me how 4 empty police cars will defend you against an attacking Dog. Please tell me. :conf:Calm down dear .:pat:

[lostalex]

Calm down dear .:pat:

I'm totally zen.

[Tom4784]

Apparantly the police officer in question has a history of brutality, ****ing animal. Hope he gets the sack.

[lostalex]

The only ****ing animals in that video were the aggressive dog and that idiot owner.

[Black Dagger]

oh go away.

Poor dog :sad:

[lostalex]

oh go away.

Poor dog :sad:


make me. That's ****ing rude.

Don't tell me what the **** to do. You're not a mod and you have no right to tell me to go away.

[Kazanne]

as Niamh said they could have asked the owner to take the dogs lead and secure it in the car,no need at all to shoot it,bloody thug

[Tom4784]

The officer was previously pulled up on Brutality and even faced a court case over it, he was obviously not suited for the job on the account of being a bastard that let the power go to his head.

[lostalex]

as Niamh said they could have asked the owner to take the dogs lead and secure it in the car,no need at all to shoot it,bloody thug

Yea cause when a dog is lunging at you you absolutely have time to ask the owner to politely calm the dog down. get a grip.

Are you living in the real world? I think you spend too much time online if you watched that video and thought "wow that officer totally had time to ask the owner to calm his dog down"

The dog was clearly being aggressive and trying to defend his owner. did you not watch the video?

[lostalex]

The officer was previously pulled up on Brutality and even faced a court case over it, he was obviously not suited for the job on the account of being a bastard that let the power go to his head.

I love how Dezzy always gives me infractions for being "argumentative". But Dezzy isn't argumentative at all, right? :joker:

I can't win with you, if i actually keep responding to you, you'll give me an infraction for being "argumentative". So I give up.

[Kazanne]

Yea cause when a dog is lunging at you you absolutely have time to ask the owner to politely calm the dog down. get a grip.

Are you living in the real world? I think you spend too much time online if you watched that video and thought "wow that officer totally had time to ask the owner to calm his dog down"

The dog was clearly being aggressive and trying to defend his owner. did you not watch the video?

:joker::joker:Stop being dramatic,the dog was lose for a few minutes,they had time,there was three of them,no need to shoot the dog,my opinion,tough if you don't like it.

[Roy Mars III]

as Niamh said they could have asked the owner to take the dogs lead and secure it in the car,no need at all to shoot it,bloody thug

well to be fair, they did the first time. The owner did not do it properly and the dog got out

[Kizzy]

I've been face to face with an angry rotty, not sure what I would have done. My initial reaction is they were trying to stop the guy being arrested.