MYNORTHWEST NEWS

KIRO Radio report sparks change in Vancouver Police Department

Oct 5, 2015, 7:01 AM | Updated: 4:46 pm

The Humane Society says hundreds of animals are killed by police every year and in most cases it ha...

The Humane Society says hundreds of animals are killed by police every year and in most cases it happens needlessly, and it's all because of a lack of police training. (AP)

(AP)

A recent report by KIRO Radio has led at least one police department to increase training for its officers.

Lieutenant Scott Creager of the Vancouver Police Department says the inquiry into what training officers receive to properly handle animals has led the department to make sure it is “being as mindful to this as we should be.”

The Vancouver Police Department was one of 10 contacted, plus the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The results were included in the story on police training and one incident over the summer, where a pit bull was killed by police in Federal Way, during a Valley SWAT team home search.

Tacoma, Everett, and Yakima Police Departments were the only three that include any training on general encounters with dogs. Seattle’s does not, nor does the Washington State Patrol.

But when police fatally shoot a dog, it can be emotional and costly. The city of Des Moines had to pay at least $51,000 in fees after police killed a Newfoundland in 2010. In June, police in Ohio aimed for a dog and ended up hitting a 4-year-old girl. She was seriously injured when the bullet hit her leg.

The Humane Society says hundreds of animals are killed by police every year and in most cases it happens needlessly, and it’s all because of a lack of police training. There’s free material available, like a one-hour video sponsored by the Department of Justice which show ways police can try to avoid a conflict with a dog in the first place.

Following the story, Lt. Creager will now have all Vancouver officers use material that he’s pulling together, both from the DOJ-sponsored video and from other material available through the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He says the video and the other materials taught him a few things.

“These law enforcement contacts with dogs are predictable,” he said. “People have pets and law enforcement comes to homes where people have pets and you can expect those contacts to happen. We need to be aware and have a plan and some solutions in place in how to deal with these animals.”

MyNorthwest News

Image: Brightly colored eggs are set on a table on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...

Ted Buehner

Expect good Easter weekend weather for egg hunts, chilly evening Mariners games

Both Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend will feature temperatures warming to around 60 degrees across much of Western Washington.

11 hours ago

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

12 hours ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

13 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

14 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

15 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

18 hours ago

KIRO Radio report sparks change in Vancouver Police Department