Raymore Police Kill Family Pet
Posted By J.T. on September 11, 2009
Raymore Police have apologized for killing what they thought was a diseased, feral cat.
On Labor Day, Kelly Wesner realized her 19-year-old cat was missing. Unbeknownst to her, Raymore Police were responding to a report of a large, vicious, feral cat that had scratched a young girl and may be diseased.
From KansasCity.com:
Somehow, Tobey had gotten out of the house Monday and wandered down the street and into a neighbor’s garage, said Wesner, who owned the cat for 18 years. An adult at that house sprayed Tobey with a garden hose to get him to leave, according to city reports on the incident.
Officers captured Tobey with a “catch pole.” A supervisor told the officer to take Tobey, who wore no tag, to a remote area and “put him down,” a police report said. As this was going on, his family was searching the neighborhood for the cat they’d had since 1991, when they found him sitting on their front porch.
Police took the cat to a field and shot him twice with a shotgun then placed the body in a plastic bag before disposing of the it in a trash bin. According to a police report, the cat was wild, sick, and had all four legs out with claws extended. Wesner said her cat was declawed. “How could you scratch if you had no claws” she asked.
It appears city police did not follow protocol in this case. City Manager Eric Berlin sent a memo to the mayor and council members stating the city should reconsider it’s procedures for euthanizing animals. He indicated some of the confusion could have arisen due to the fact this occurred on a holiday.
It should be noted that Raymore Animal Control is responsible for:
* Pick-up and storage of loose, stray, and dangerous animals
* Enforcement of Raymore city ordinances regarding animals
* Maintenance of animals housed at animal control facilities
* Investigation of animal bite calls
* Investigation of animal abuse / neglect calls
* Adoption procedures of animals without homes
* Direct contact with local veterinary offices regarding animal health concerns
HERE is a copy of the letter of condolence sent to the family by acting Chief of Police Roger R. Mayberry.
[...] officers involved in the shooting of 19-year-old feline Tobey will not be punished, said acting Raymore Police Chief Roger Mayberry on Friday afternoon. He [...]
“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” –ALBERT EINSTEIN
That pretty much sums it up and the actions of those cops and lack of action from your administration DOES represent your WHOLE town.