WHAT'S NEXT

The Death of Bear-Bear
  1. Signatures
    1,647 out of 2,500
    Petitioning
    1. Chief of Police Anne Arundel County Maryland (James Teare Sr.)
  2. Created By
    C W
    West Seneca, NY
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates
How We Won

Nov 19, 2010

When Bear-Bear was shot at the Quail Run community dog park by an off-duty officer in August, police initially declined to press charges. More than 1,600 Change.org members joined community group, Justice for Bear-Bear, in calling on Anne Arundel County police to launch a full investigation. They re-opened the case and, on November 19th, federal officer Keith Shepherd was convicted on one count of animal cruelty and one count of discharging a firearm in a residential area. While the conviction can't bring Bear-Bear back, it is a victory for getting police to take dog shootings seriously and will hopefully provide some closure for the family.

Bear-Bear a 3 year old  Siberian husky was shot and killed by a FEDERAL POLICE OFFICER at an Anne Arundel County dog park on Monday August 2 2010 around 6:30PM.

Stunned dog owners and residents of a Severn neighborhood are shocked that authorities won't be charging a federal police officer who shot and killed a Siberian husky on the evening of Monday August 2 2010 at a community dog park.

Bear-Bear, a brown and white husky that was about 3 years old, was playing in the Quail Run dog park at about 6:30 p.m., running off leash inside the fenced-in area, when the officer and his wife arrived with a German shepherd, who was kept on a leash. When the dogs began to play roughly, the federal officer asked Bear-Bear's guardian, his owner's brother, to call off the dog.

Before he could do anything, the officer pulled out a gun and shot Bear-Bear, according to the husky's owner.

Bear-Bear, who belongs to Rachel Rettaliala, died of his injuries a few hours later.

Bear-Bear, an alumna of Tails of the Tundra Siberian Husky Rescue, was shot and killed by a federal officer, even though there was no evidence that the officer believed Bear was going to hurt his dog. He also did not allow Bear's handler even a few seconds to call Bear back from play.

The police refuse to release the name of the officer who did *illegally* discharge his weapon.

This is outrageous behavior for an off duty officer and he MUST be disciplined for his actions.

Recent Signatures

A full investigation is necessary for the shooting of Bear-Bear

Dear Sir,

On the evening of August 2 2010, a federal police officer shot the Siberian husky Bear-Bear who was playing in a fenced in dog park in Anne Arundel County Maryland. The shooting was witnessed by many including Bear-Bear's pet parent. The neighborhood is outraged that a shooting happened in broad daylight in a fenced in dog park.

The dog, Bear-Bear, a brown and white husky about 3 years old, was playing in the Quail Run dog park at about 6:30 p.m., running off leash inside the fenced-in area.

The officer and his wife arrived with a German shepherd, who was kept on a leash. When the dogs began to play roughly, the federal officer asked Bear-Bear's guardian to call off the dog.

Before anything could be done, the officer pulled out a gun and shot Bear-Bear, according to the husky's owner, Rachel Rettaliala.

Bear-Bear died of his injuries a few hours later. Ms. Rettaliala is devastated by the loss of her beloved dog.

There was no evidence that the officer believed Bear was going to hurt his dog. He also did not allow Bear's handler even a few seconds to call Bear back from play.

This is outrageous behavior from a police officer who was off duty.

This case must be investigated thoroughly.

The police officer must be reprimanded for abusing an animal and being negligent and careless with a firearm in a public dog park.

This officer is a dangerous to be put in a position to protect the public. He is abusing his authority.

We are requesting a thorough investigation be done regarding this incident and appropriate action be taken against the federal officer. Animal abuse is a crime and his actions should be taken seriously.

Thank you for your time and I trust you will do the right thing in Bear-Bear's honor.

[Your name]

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