Off-Duty Cop Breaks up Dog Quarrel -- with Gun

(CBS)  Anne Arundel County leaders are calling for a full investigation into the shooting of a Siberian Husky at a private dog park. The shooter was an off-duty federal police officer.

CBS Station WJZ's Gigi Barnett spoke with the dog's owners.

"He can't be replaced, and he's our baby," said Rachel Rettaliata, the dog's owner.

Rachel and Ryan Rettaliata are missing their dog.

Bear-Bear was shot and killed at a dog park Monday night. It's blocks away from the Rettaliata home in Severn.

The alleged shooter is a federal police officer.

"You just don't aim and fire at someone else's dog because you think that's the best way to go," said Ryan Rettaliata.

The Rettaliatas say they were told that the case was closed. That's until Wednesday. County leaders are now demanding a full investigation into the shooting.

"When I read about this, I contacted the police chief directly and said I want this case investigated thoroughly," said Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold.

Leopold says neighbors have called asking for it. So far, there are two Facebook pages supporting the investigation.

"There is certain specific information that was not known initially that is now known. I think there will be grounds for bringing charges," said Leopold.

The officer, who isn't being identified because of the investigation, told detectives that Bear-Bear attacked his dog, a German Shepard who was on a leash.

During the tussle, he allegedly pulled out his service weapon and shot Bear-Bear once.

Rachel Rettaliata's brother saw the shooting.

"I went up close to him, and I asked him, was that a taser? He said, 'No, it was a nine millimeter. I shot him in the rear. I don't see any blood. I think he's OK.' He said that calmly," said Rettaliata's brother.

But the Rettaliatas say Bear-Bear was a playful dog and wrestling is how Siberian Huskies play.

Now they'll get the investigation they wanted.

Police are looking for any witnesses to come forward who were at the dog park Monday night.

[roxyandrotty]

From another source ...
Bear Bear?s guardian asks the off-duty shooter -- "Was that a Taser?" Shooter said, "No. That's 9 millimeter. I hit him in the rear. I don't see any blood. I think he's going to be okay," and just calm about it," said Stephen Kurinij, who was watching the dog for his sister and brother-in-law. "

The shooters was just calm about it! And he is a gov't DoD employee that shoots dogs in parks.

[roxyandrotty]

A park should be a safe place for kids and pets to play. Our communities should be a safe place to live and thrive.
If this off-duty guy carries a gun and discharges it at will in parks, he probably is likely to do so elsewhere say at 7-eleven or safeway parking lot, whenever he feels fear.
Why is he still freely walking the streets?
Remember to VOTE Out any public officials that aren't serving the interests of the public and safety.

[roxyandrotty]

There is never a reason to discharge a firearm in a public area populated with children, dogs and owners.
What really happened? Facts or no facts. Reality is he panicked, wanted vengeance, had the power and he used it.
The real question is why is he still working for the Department of Defense, and how did he obtain and keep clearance and right to carry a gun?

Questions:
Why hasn't the local District Atty sought an arrest? Clearly this guy is a threat? No one is safe in Severn. When are elections for Sheriff and county admin?

Why hasn't the gov't removed his clearance? Sounds like, this loser is one step from a wild shooter.

[thesafetylemur]

Overkill? Probably. But when an unfamiliar dog starts attacking yours, well, sounds like the dog had it coming. It's not the dog's fault though. The owner clearly wasn't monitoring their dog's behavior. Sounds like a clear cut case of self protection. This guy didn't know that dog and didn't know what it was capable of. End of story. Had the owners taken responsibility and have been monitoring their dog's actions, this wouldn't have happened. That's it. No need for hundreds of wacko animal lovers to start saying this cop is trigger happy. He was protecting his dog. End of story. done. Any comment after this saying it's not is 100% null and void. Done. That's it.
My dog is incredibly tempermental with dogs she doesn't know having been a stray/rescue dog so I am obligated to monitor her actions AT ALL TIMES. I would NEVER let her wander up to an unfamiliar dog and start "quarreling" with it, regardless of whether it was just playful behavior. Take responsibility for your pets or don't own one. Sounds like this owner chose the latter.

[ErwinnKnoll]

The GS dog handled by Keith Shephard was on a leash in a fenced in dog park designated for dogs to play off leash. Seems Keith Shephard owner of GS dog did not know his dog might feel threatened by this. I guess I must be one of those wacko dog lovers who says someone who only waits "upwards of a minute" (see Hometown Annapolis for quote) for the other dog handler to retrieve his dog and then takes it upon himself to become judge, jury and executioner by firing a 9mm hollowpoint within a residential area surrounded by townhouses with at least 3 children in the area is "just a wacko". As for me I don't want Keith Shephard to be allowed to carry a gun after exhibiting this kind of poor judgement. As for self defense-funny-Keith Shephard nor his wife had any injuries, police report states "did not advise that his dog was injured and it appeared ok." How about Keith Shephard taking responsibility for inappropriately firing a gun in a public place when his life, his wife's life nor even his dog's life were threatened.

[bigreddog222]

Bear-Bear was a beautiful dog. I hope witnesses come forward and plant that ***** gun happy cop in his place. BTW I support the right to possess and use a gun properly. I also support responsible law enforcement. It sounds like this guy has a screw loose. It was a dog park you numb nut.

[ToolMangler1]

If the German Shepherd had no cuts then the Husky (I used to own one) was only playing (or maybe trying to mate). The major thing here is the Cop used a gun for no reason. What if that had been a child???

[damrod10]

They also did not say that the Anne Arundel cops and the shooter laughed and joked for 20-30 minutes not allowing the owner of Bear to approach his wounded animal and threatened to tazer him if he did. So he uses poor judgement in shooting the dog in a crowded dog park instead of asking the owner to remove his dog and then all the cops use extremely poor judgement in not allowing aid to be given to the pet. Can we say animal cruelty. He might have been able to be saved which would have saved him and the department a lot of grief. Hope that she sues him and the pd. The GSD had no injuries at all. If he cannot recongnize play and fighting, I dread what will happen to the GSD. If a tazer was available why wasnt the dog not tazed!!! The officer needs to have a full investigation done on all his past arrests and cases to see if any more cases of abuse have occured.

[Observer1504]

This Federal POS deserves a 9mm in his arrogant ass !

[bobnjersey]

[The officer, who isn't being identified because of the investigation, told detectives that Bear-Bear attacked his dog, a German Shepard who was on a leash. During the tussle, he allegedly pulled out his service weapon and shot Bear-Bear once.]

he should be fired. he's not using the weapon appropriately ... and shouldn't be trusted to use it correctly in any other situation either.