Police officer shoots dog in Woodville, Ohio - November 2014

Excerpts from a Nov 6, 2014 Toledo Blade story

Moses underwent surgery Wednesday at West Suburban Animal Hospital in Sylvania Township to repair the shattered bones in his foreleg. Dr. Gary Thompson, the veterinarian treating Moses, said the dog is doing well.

The shooting incident was reviewed by a panel consisting of Woodville Police Chief Roy Whitehead and a sergeant from the department who is a firearms instructor, and the police chiefs of Clyde, Gibsonburg, and Elmore.

The officer, Steve Gilkerson, was cleared of any wrongdoing in a single day, although witnesses were not interviewed.

Ms. Bloom was dismayed to learn Officer Gilkerson was cleared of any wrongdoing by a review conducted by other officers rather than an independent body.

“That dog is really sweet and has always been really sweet, and I know that because I have pulled in [to its owners’ business] and he doesn’t bark and and is not aggressive at all,” said Megan McGinnis, a Woodville native.

Ron Rasberry, who lives 4 miles outside of Woodville questioned if the dog showed any signs of aggression. His experience with chocolate Labradors have always been pleasant, he said.

Different descriptions about Moses's behavior.

“The dog did not stop and continued toward me with a look in its eyes that I would describe as focused on a target,” Officer Gilkerson wrote. “The dog did not seem interested in veering from its set path. ... The dog’s behaviors and mannerism did not seem playful. The tail did not appear to be wagging, etc.”

But the two witnesses from the vehicle that was being searched as well as a Lockport employee who had been taking a smoke break outside at the time, say Moses was walking along with a wagging tail, sniffing the ground and the tire of the car.

Officer Gilkerson seemed to change his story about the alleged aggression by Moses.

[Dog owner] Mrs. Bischoff said Officer Gilkerson told her directly Moses “was not acting aggressively,” and Mr. Bischoff said Chief Whitehead told him later over the phone that Officer Gilkerson had said the same to him.

“If the guy straight-out said the dog wasn't being aggressive, why would he shoot it?” Mr. Bischoff said. “It doesn’t make any sense. That’s where I’m lost.”

The police chief doubts the witnesses' observations.

Chief Whitehead said that based on the officer’s report and witnesses’ statements to the media about where they were standing, no one but Officer Gilkerson would have been able to clearly see Moses at the time he was shot. He said their view would have been obstructed by the car that was pulled over.

Bizarre hypothetical statements by the police chief and mayor.

In response to questions from the public about why Officer Gilkerson did not use a stun gun or pepper spray instead of his weapon, the chief said,

“If we were to taser or spray Mace at the dog, and it wanders out into the roadway and gets hit by a truck, think of the crucifixion we’d be going through if that happened.”

Woodville Mayor Richard Harman said he fully supports the officer and the department in this matter.

“I wish it never would have happened. We all do,” he said. “This officer had to react. ... He’s probably going to get bit next time because he won’t shoot.”