VA-Charles City residents sound off about killing of young dog

[Anti Federalist]

Charles City residents sound off about killing of young dog

Posted on: 7:52 pm, November 28, 2012, by Alix Bryan and Sandra Jones

http://wtvr.com/2012/11/28/charles-city-residents-sound-off-about-killing-of-young-dog/

CHARLES CITY COUNTY, VA. (WTVR) –We first told you last month about an investigation into the actions of local animal control officer Frank Bates, who shot a family’s young dog several times in the face.

The dog died and Charles City County residents have been outraged since.

Tuesday night county leaders heard from residents who say they want the officer fired– and those who defended his actions.

Bates was investigating a dog complaint from the neighbor. The owner of the 18-month old lab, Sharon McGein, believes the shooting could’ve been prevented.

“This dog could’ve been contained,” she said. “He could’ve written me a ticket.”

McGein said she would have preferred that course of action, because her dog would still be alive.

Bates has worked in the county for more than 30 years. On Tuesday night some residents accused Bates of being untrained, verbally abusive, and violent to animals.

Others denied such allegations and said Bates is courteous, professional and always on time.

A couple of week ago Zach Trogdan, Charles City County Administrator, told CBS 6 that citizen have questioned him how a yellow lab breed like Axel could have become aggressive.

Additionally, Charles City County Sheriff’s Captain Jayson Crawley said he wrote the owner’s daughter about the incident— not as a county employee — but as a private citizen.

“I am tired of seeing the unprofessional and lack of supervision in which he [the officer] has shown ever since I have known him,” Crawley wrote in the email to McGein.

McGein told CBS 6 she wants to file charges against the officer. The county administrator and Virginia State Police are looking into the allegations.

“I hope that people know that any allegations, we don’t take them lightly,” Trogdan said. “Nothing is ignored.”

Trogdan would not go into details about the allegations or if Bates faces any disciplinary action.

CBS 6 spoke with a County Board of Supervisor who would not comment on the allegations against Frank Bates. Bates was not at work Wednesday, and county officials would not say why.

But we’re told State police are investigating the dog shooting.

CBS 6 made several attempts to contact Bates about the allegations including his home. But we were confronted by his dog, and turned around.

CBS 6 also filed a Freedom of Information Act, and the report says that Charles City County has no Standard Operating Procedure for Animal Control.

At the hearing Residents sounded off on a number of allegations that include lack of training, firearms certification, animal cruelty, abuse and even the other death of animals.

CBS 6 asked the County administrator if that needs to change?

“If that’s something that will help improve the public perception as well as operational,” said Trogdan, then, “Yeah, absolutely.”

[tod evans]

CBS 6 made several attempts to contact Bates about the allegations including his home. But we were confronted by his dog, and turned around.

Hummm,

Notice anything odd here?

[phill4paul]

out·rage (outrj)
n.
1. Prior to the 21st century an act of extreme violence or viciousness.
2. In the 21st century, the emasculated act of sounding grievances through a public forum or a written email punctuated by caps, bold face type and exclamation marks.

[Anti Federalist]

Justified.

Policy was followed.

STFU Mundanes.



Dog’s owner outraged animal control officer won’t face charges

Posted on: 2:38 pm, December 28, 2012, by Nick Dutton and Angela Pellerano, updated on: 09:48pm, December 28, 2012

http://wtvr.com/2012/12/28/animal-control-officer-who-shot-dog-wont-face-charges/

CHARLES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) — A special prosecutor has decided not to pursue charges against an animal control officer who shot a family’s dog in Charles City County.

The news comes after state police completed their investigation, at the request of the Charles City County Sheriff’s Office, into the actions of Frank Bates, the animal control officer who shot an 18-month-old lab named Axel in the face.

Virginia State Police’s Sergeant Thomas J. Molnar released new information about the agency’s investigation Friday.

Molnar said in a news release that Bates was called to the 14000 block of Glebe Lane on Nov. 1 after a woman called and said her 17 year-old son had been chased by the dog after getting off the bus.

When Bates arrived at the woman’s home, Molnar said he was confronted by the ”aggressive canine.” As Bates tried to get the dog to leave the woman’s property, Molnar said the animal control officer turned away from the animal.

That’s when Molnar said the dog “came at the officer in an aggressive manner” and that Bates, in order to protect himself, shot the dog once.

The animal died at the scene.

Once State police completed the investigation, which included interviewing independent witnesses, the Charles City County Commonwealth’s Attorney Office asked that the King William County Commonwealth’s Attorney be appointed to as special prosecutor.

After reviewing the findings, Molnar said the King William County Commonwealth’s Attorney decided not to peruse charges against Bates.

Since the Axel’s death, Charles City County residents have been outraged.

In fact, county leaders heard from residents during a November meeting who said they wanted Bates fired. But others who defended his actions.

Some residents accused Bates, who has worked in the county for more than 30 years, of being untrained, verbally abusive and violent to animals.

However, others denied such allegations and said Bates is courteous, professional and always on time.

The dog’s owner, Sharon McGeein tells CBS 6 she is disappointed by the outcome of the investigation, and plans to sue Bates and the county in civil court.

“He took away our 4th amendment right for killing our dog…He also violated Virginia state law which says if you kill a companion animal, it’s actually a felony…unless it actively attacks something or someone,” McGeein said.

She says Axel, was supposed to be trained as a therapy dog, and that labs don’t attack people.

[coastie]

out·rage (outrj)
n.
1. Prior to the 21st century an act of extreme violence or viciousness.
2. In the 21st century, the emasculated act of sounding grievances through a public forum or a written email punctuated by caps, bold face type and exclamation marks.

+rep