INCOMPETENT DOG SHOOTING COSTS CITY $99,000

by Bob Walsh

The city of Sacramento has just agreed to pay $99,000 to a homeless man due to what can only be called an incompetent dog shooting.

The principle player was Kevin Cole.  He was NOT homeless but the cop and the security guard believed he probably was as he looked the part.  He had just finished some shopping in Safeway and hanging out with his backpack outside the store with his dog.  He has some legit medical issues and was stuffing his groceries into his backpack prior to getting on the metro to do home.  The security guard told him to move along.  He didn't.  The cops showed up.  They told him to move along and gave him nine minutes to get his ass into gear.  However before the nine minutes was up the cop wrestled him to the ground and handcuffed him.  That agitated the dog, which was on a leash.  One officer shot the dog.  The dog was hit in the leg, the bullet hit the pavement and broke up.  One segment hit Cole right between the eyes.  Another segment hit the security guard.  

Cole sued in federal court six months ago.  The city settled, but the shooting is still under investigation.  Based on the limited info available I expect the shooting was out of policy.