Police Officer Cleared In Dog Shooting
Joel Saccoccio Shot, Killed Dog Last March

POSTED: 5:43 pm EST February 18, 2005
UPDATED: 7:56 pm EST February 18, 2005

PROVIDENCE -- A jury cleared a Pawtucket police officer on Friday in
the shooting of a dog.

Officer Joel Saccoccio of the Pawtucket Police Department, shot and
killed the dog, 13-year-old Roxanne, last March.

The dog's owners, John and Anita Russell, filed a lawsuit. But Friday
afternoon, they lost in federal court. The jury cleared Officer Joel
Saccoccio of wrongdoing after deliberating for a little more than an
hour.

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Officer Cleared
Officer Cleared In Dog Shooting
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Police officers were in the Russell's home looking for John Russell’s
brother. According to Saccoccio, the dog came at him in a menacing
manner and he shot the dog twice.

The Russell's claim that the dog wasn't doing anything and that the
shooting was totally unjustified.

"People shouldn't come down and do stuff like that to you and get away
with it," said Anita Russell. "It's very wrong."

"It's very disappointing because we told the truth and they were all
about lies," said John Russell. "In the city of Pawtucket, nobody
wins. Only the cops win."

Neither Saccoccio nor his attorney would comment.

The Russells were seeking $250,000 in damages. They will try to get a
new trial.



* March 15, 2004: Family Members Say Officer Shot Their Dog

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Police Officer Cleared In

On Sat, 19 Feb 2005 08:28:37 -0500, Edward wrote:

Police Officer Cleared In Dog Shooting
Joel Saccoccio Shot, Killed Dog Last March

POSTED: 5:43 pm EST February 18, 2005
UPDATED: 7:56 pm EST February 18, 2005...

Police officers were in the Russell's home looking for John Russell’s
brother. According to Saccoccio, the dog came at him in a menacing
manner and he shot the dog twice.

The Russell's claim that the dog wasn't doing anything and that the
shooting was totally unjustified...

Well, what's your point? Should we hate all dog-killing cops? Should we
be paranoid that cops will kill our dogs, whenever the opportunity
arises?

"Are my dogs safe?" That's the last question I ask myself, before I open
my door. Regardless of the breed, size, demeanor, et cetera, I always
strive to protect my dogs from humans: never visa versa.

Do I believe a lot of dogs are unjustly killed by police officers? Yes,
I absolutely do! I can also see things from the officer's point of view.
I don't want to have to watch Johnny's family and/or friends, two or
three doorways, and a dog that might be able to harm me or cause me to
fail to apprehend a subject who is/or might be a threat to the public.
What I consider "menacing" behavior is far beyond what it would be for a
lot of/most people. As a dog lover, I'd probably take more risks than I
should.

I hate this sort of pet death, but short of high-definition, color
video, from multiple angles, and Dolby 6.X sound, I don't see a civilian
winning a wrongful death action against a police officer.

So, what's a person to do? For me, whatever it takes.





When I die, I want to go where dogs go!