AR-News: Cop Who Shot Dog Fired

[Animalsav at aol.com]

ellaneous

Cop Who Shot Dog Fired For Flipping Off TV Camera

World Net Daily | July 1 2004

An Oklahoma police officer who shot a family dog has been fired for allegedly 
"shooting the bird" on television. 

Bixby, Okla., Police Chief Anthony Stephens decided to fire Cory Forister 
after Tulsa TV stations aired video of the officer making an obscene gesture to 
camera crews. 

Reporters were covering a canine-aggression class Forister was ordered to 
attend following his shooting of a golden retriever during a burglary 
investigation earlier this month. The dog, named Fluppy, had to be euthanized. 

According to KOTV-TV, station reporter Patrina Adger sought comment from 
Forister about the case. 

Adger: "Officer Forister, do you want to talk about what you're learning from 
the class?" 

Forister: "No, thank you." 

Adger: "Are you learning anything from the class?" 

Forister: "I just told you, I don't want an interview."

Footage from the meeting showed Forister resting his head in his hand, with 
his middle finger extended. 

The police chief says he was flooded with calls after the gesture was 
broadcast, and he was forced to let Forister go for conduct unbecoming of a police 
officer. 

"This type of conduct by a police officer cannot, and will not, be tolerated, 
under any circumstances," Stephens said. 

Forister denies intentionally "flipping off" the reporter. 

According to KTUL-TV, the saga began June 5 as Forister was responding to a 
possible burglary at the home of John and Kathy Benzinger. 

He then saw the family pet, which was tied to a cable as it lunged at him. 

"I yelled three times at the dog, 'back, back, back,' and I was running 
backwards as fast as I could," Forister told KTUL. 

He says Fluppy was on a long tether and was less than two feet away when he 
fired three shots. 

"It all happened in a matter of about four seconds," Forister told KTUL. "It 
was instant. When I felt like my life was at risk, my personal safety at 
risk." 

The city investigated the shooting and concluded no criminal charges should 
be filed against the officer. 

"As far as we are concerned, we've conducted an investigation, held a review 
hearing, issued a finding, and that's the end of it," City Attorney Jim 
Frasier told the Tulsa World. 

The Benzingers have since obtained another golden retriever puppy, as the 
family children pooled their money to purchase one. 

"[Forister] has still refused to call us and issue an apology!" John 
Benzinger lamented to KOTV, though the police department itself has issued an apology. 

He says the family is still considering a civil lawsuit to cover Fluppy's 
veterinary and cremation bills, reportedly worth over $1,000. 

The case has been a hot topic in Oklahoma, sparking plenty of discussion and 
letters to the editor of the Tulsa World, including one by Tulsa resident 
James Blazer. 

"When a Bixby police officer, one Cory Forister, shoots a golden retriever 
because it comes too close, then I would not want him to even have access to a 
gun, much less be authorized to use it," Blazer wrote. 

"The dog killed in Bixby was tethered and could not reach him and, more 
important, it was a golden retriever, which is just about as dangerous as a 
2-month-old baby."