'I Just Shot The Dog:' Police Officer Shoots Man's Service Dog During 9-Y-O Son's Birthday Party in Horrific Encounter (Video)
A police officer in small-town Filer, Idaho, who fatally shot a residents dog during the birthday party of the 9-year-old son of the dog's owner because he didn't want to get bitten, has been placed on administrative leave.
A dashcam video of the incident that occurred Saturday was released by Filer Police on Monday, and has since sparked national outcry and a call for police officer Tarek Hassani, who shot the dog, to be fired.
The video shows the moments leading up to Hassani's shooting of the black labrador named Hooch, owned by Rick Clubb, and the moments afterward.
Filer Mayor Rick Dunn confirmed Tuesday that officer Hassani had been placed on administrative leave, according to a Times-News report.
Clubb, however, says he wants Hassani fired for what he did to his dog.
"We want (Hassani) fired," he said. "He had other options. He didn't have to kill my dog."
A Facebook page called Officer Hassani Get Out Of Filer Idaho has attracted more than 7,000 fans who are calling for Hassani's job and were planning a protest in the community for Wednesday night.
WARNING: Video below contains profanity
"I was convinced this man should not be a cop when he talked about being bit by another dog and getting stitches. He has an issue with dogs. Watching how calm he was about shooting the dog and continuing up the driveway like nothing happened. He shouldn't be a cop, maybe a rent a cop without a gun," noted one supporter Tami Scarpella.
Deputy Filer City Clerk Debbie McMahan said she had received some 60 calls from concerned residents about the shooting and has promised that the mayor would respond to them all.
"I'm looking forward to talking to him," said Ryan Magnelli, a two-year resident of Filer, who delivered a letter Tuesday demanding Hassani's termination.
"I don't feel secure with a police officer running around being a cowboy," he said. "Why didn't he just pepper spray the dog?"
