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Sep 13, 2006 9:10 pm US/Eastern
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New Details On Dog Shot & Killed By Game Officer
PROSPECT (KDKA) ―
There's new information following a KDKA investigation into the shooting of a family pet by a Pennsylvania Game Commission officer.
The officer says he did it to protect public safety.
However, the family is calling it murder.
Buster was a four year old black lab shot by a game commission officer who described the dog as a threat to public safety.
To the surprise of many, game commission officers are not required to file a report when they shoot a family pet.
Also, while game commissioners can tranquilize dangerous wild animals, they're instructed to shoot domestic pets when necessary.
When Buster was shot and killed by the game commission officer, the officer had two choices.
He could try to catch the dog, which he says he couldn't, or kill him.
He could not tranquilize Buster.
"I asked the officer why he didn't tranquilize and not shoot," said Buster's owner Yvonne Neely. "His exact words were 'They do not tranquilize domestic animals, they shoot them'. They use tranquilizers on wild animals."
In fact the officer was following state law.
Agents are told to shoot domestic animals.
FDA restrictions don't allow them to tranquilize pets.
"Our permission to use them is restricted for certain dosages, specified for certain wildlife," said Jerry Feaser of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. "We do not have the authority to use them on domestic animals"
There's even more to the story.
Buster was shot on the Butler County Fairgrounds.
The game commission officer says he was called by frightened employees because two dogs were standing over a downed deer exhibiting aggressive behavior.
The officer killed them in the interest of public safety but the fact is there is no official report on the incident.
Jeff Neely found that out when he asked for one.
"I asked the game commission if they had a report," said Neely. "They don't have to file reports for shootings or anything like that. Why don't they?"
He's right, according to game commission policy there doesn't have to be a report.
"The only time it's required by law to file a written report on this type of incident is if the dog is immediately identifiable as a pet," said Feaser.
Now, members of the Neely family, as well as others in the Butler County Community of Prospect, are contacting state representatives.
They've also written a letter to the governor.
They want laws changed.
They want it to be made mandatory that game commission officers file incident reports and carry tranquilizer for domestic pets.
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