Deputy bit by Rottweiler, forced to destroy dog
Submitted by Howard Owens on September 29, 2009 - 4:35pm
A Sheriff's Deputy was forced to destroy an aggressive Rottweiler this afternoon after the dog bit him on the hand.
Deputy Cory Mower responded to a report of an aggressive dog running at large in the area of 8300 block of Bank Street Road in the Town of Batavia.
When Mower located the dog and approached him, the dog attacked him, biting his left hand, according to Deputy Chief Gordon Dibble.
Mower was heard on the scanner during the incident telling dispatch, "I tried to make friends with him."
After animal control arrived on scene, Mower transported himself to UMMC, where he was treated and released.
The 1:30 p.m. call was the second complaint the Sheriff's Office received today of a Rottweiler running loose in that neighborhood. In the morning, a deputy searched the area but did not find the dog. (The deputy did locate the dog, but was not able to capture it and it ran away. See comments below.)
The Rottweiler reportedly had current rabies tags, but the owner has not yet been identified and the incident remains under investigation.
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September 30, 2009 - 9:05am
#2
On my way to work Tuesday morning at 6:00 am i encountered what appeared to be a rottweiler standing in the center of Bank st. road. I pulled over and put my hazards on and was able to coax the dog to the side of the road. The dog had a collar and rabies tag on and half a leash that had been snapped. The dog appeared older and a bit confused. I called 911 and reported it. I stayed with the dog in the pouring rain to keep it from going back into the road until help arrived. When a Deputy arrived he tried to coax the dog into his back seat but the dog snarled a bit and bared his teeth. I think the dog was more confused and frightened than mean. The deputy told me i could leave and he would take care of it. That was the last i heard until i read this report in the Batavian.So to say that a deputy searched the area but could not locate the dog would be erroneous. I dont know how this could be a different situation.
September 30, 2009 - 9:14am
#3
Doesn't the county have an animal control officer? A catch pole may have worked better than a gun.
September 30, 2009 - 9:21am
#4
HEY DAVE Nice Info-Wonder If The weather was nicer If this dog would of had better chance on surviving and not just randomly shot to end the matter and keep the officer out of the rain.
September 30, 2009 - 9:29am
#5
NICE JOB ON DAVE'S PART. IT WAS SAD TO HEAR THAT THIS DOG HAD TO DIE IN THE END. I AM SURE IT WAS SCARED AND CONFUSED. WHERE WAS ANIMAL CONTROL????/
September 30, 2009 - 9:32am
#6
I've written to Chief Dibble to see if we can clarify. Chief Dibble told me they had responded to a call in the morning of a loose dog. It looks like I made an erroneous jump to the conclusion that the dog was not found on that call. I mean, if they went out ... and left ... and had to come back later, seems like the dog wasn't found. But you're saying it was, so we'll see if we can clarify.
September 30, 2009 - 10:06am
#7
Here's the response from Chief Dibble: "According to our report, the deputy did respond, talked with the reporting person, attempted to get the dog into the car but failed to do so. The dog ran away "into a hedge row" and could not be located after that. Apparently the dog remained at large until the afternoon report came in. "
September 30, 2009 - 12:00pm
#8
Sorry this is no way to handle a Rottweiler!!!!!! And like a few ones have said, were is Animal control-Someone that know and how to handla a Rotty. "Cuz" the dog run away then means that the officer can leave it running??? I feel sorry for the owns losing a great dog. VERY UPSET ON THE WAY THIS TURNED OUT!!!!!
September 30, 2009 - 12:07pm
#9
they should have tried a different way of getting the dog I know that some dogs do not like guys for some reason I don't know if its the guys voice or how they approach the dog they were being miss treated by a guy or the way they talk to the dog they do not like they seam to like ladies better ladies have a softer voice and the dogs seam to trust lades better then guys for some reason
September 30, 2009 - 12:36pm
#10
I would like to add that on my first attempt to get the dog from the road it did snarl at me but after a little talking to, i was able to pet its head and grab it by the leash and lead it out of the road. This is why i think the dog was more confused and frightened than angry.
September 30, 2009 - 1:14pm
#11
Dave, you did the right thing!!!!!!!
September 30, 2009 - 1:57pm
#12
LIKE TERESA SAID DAVE YOU DID THE RIGHT THING. I 2 FEEL SORRY FOR THE OWNERS.
September 30, 2009 - 3:42pm
#13
why wasnt animal control called in? They know how to handle animals. Any one would know not to put thier hand out in front of a strange animal. I am sure this poor thing was scared and killed for no good reason. OMG I feel sad for the owners. This could have had a better ending not an unnecessary death. Sickens me.
September 30, 2009 - 4:03pm
#14
i am vary upset how this was handled too I wonder if the owner of the dog are going to go after the police officer for killing the dog did have tags on him and and he was not some wild dog it was someones pet that they loved now is gone they should have called animal control if the police officer could not handle this instead of killing the poor dog there were other ways to deal with lose pets
September 30, 2009 - 4:31pm
#15
With the scant knowledge available as to the exact sequence of events, it's a bit unfair to be critical of the deputy. None of us were there.
It's quite possible that with a different sequence of events, or if this or that was done differently, maybe the dog would still be alive.
But I'm betting the deputy is as upset as anybody that things turned out as they did. I'm confident he did the best he could under the circumstances.
Keep in mind, I'm defending the deputy as the owner of a Rottweiler mix.
September 30, 2009 - 5:16pm
#16
exactly you all were not there. i to hate that the dog was put down.. but what if your family mbr was threatened? or your pet.? would you not do all that you could to protect yourself? that is exactly what this deputy did. protecting himself, i am very sure he didnt want to shoot the dog.please let us not be judgemental again you were not there.
September 30, 2009 - 5:32pm
#17
I'll be brutally honest. If a dog started attacking me and I felt my life might be in danger, I'd kill it too. I'm not going to risk my survival over a dog's life.
September 30, 2009 - 6:39pm
#18
Your right Sheri I'm sure we all were not there and I'm sure the officer when he got bit, was mad, but remember the dog came across 2 people already and one was able to stand right next to him let alone let David touch his head, and I'm sure that other people come across the dog too. I understand the office had to do use he felt was best for his safty. But if the dog was so "mean" then why didn't he bit David nor the other office that was trying to get the dog in the car? Sorry but as an owner of an Rottweiler and I know I would a mess!
September 30, 2009 - 7:14pm
#19
well you only know what is printed.. it has yet to be said if the dog threatened anyone or anything after those 2 ppl saw the dog and was able to touch him. Dogs can turn on a dime, please remember that. Without the full story printed on this matter i wish ppl would not be so against the officer.
On the dog, ya i am sure he was scared but not when the cop was there it was stated that he tried to make friends with the dog first and then the dog bit him.
to those 2 ppl be glad he didnt turn on you.
I am so glad that the officer was able to walk away from this and was able to go home to his family.
September 30, 2009 - 9:12pm
#20
Posted by sheri sheri on September 30, 2009 - 7:14pm
well you only know what is printed.. it has yet to be said if the dog threatened anyone or anything after those 2 ppl saw the dog and was able to touch him. Dogs can turn on a dime, please remember that. Without the full story printed on this matter i wish ppl would not be so against the officer.
Why can't we get the full story?
Maybe Genesee County needs Mr. Scheuerlein as our animal control officer. If that was the case that rottweiler would have been reunited with its owners yesterday. I do hope Officer Mower is doing well and has no lasting affects from the bite. Rottweilers are so vicious!!! I wonder if a poodle or a basset hound would have been shot.
What do you say Dave any interest in a civil service job?
September 30, 2009 - 9:35pm
#21
Rottweilers are not vicious. When properly socialized, they are about the sweetest dogs you will find.
They are protective, though. Don't try sneaking up on me when I've got Pachuco with me. But if you approach friendly like, prepared to have demands for lots lots of petting. And if you're a child, you'll get your cheeks licked.
And we've gotten probably as much of this story as we're going to get. The amount of information released is pretty standard for any any incident involving law enforcement.
September 30, 2009 - 9:50pm
#22
Poor Pup.. I think he was wet, and scared, lookin for his mom and dad. This whole thing is unfortunate. Yes Howard Rots are guard dogs, and very smart. Our neighbor in Elba has one. His name is Bear, and he's quite the roughneck. He likes to play rough and try to take your legs out. His owner trys to keep him from jumping around because he has had hip problems. He's spent quite a bit of money on surgerys to those hips of his. Beautiful Dogs though.
October 1, 2009 - 12:28am
#23
Hip dysplasia is common in Rottweilers, and most large breed dogs. (wikipedia)
October 3, 2009 - 9:17pm
#24
whatever whatever only an idiot would put his hand out to a strange dog. I even know if u put ur hand towards a dog like u want to pet him that the dog may percieve that as a threat to hit it. If u hold ur hand palm up thats giving him the signal that u are not a threat
shoulda been handled by animal control period
