I am a dog trainer with a story that both saddens and angers me: one of my client's puppies, Miso, was wrongfully shot by Miami police. The officers did nothing to help, nor did they let his owner come to his aid. Miso laid in the grass, in agony, confused and frightened, for 15 long minutes until he finally bled out. If those officers had received proper training, Miso would  still be alive today. It's clear: our law enforcement is in urgent need of redevelopment in this area.

Moreover, there have been instances where officers should have intervened to save people from aggressive dogs but did not because of insufficient training. This lack of understanding about dog behavior puts both police officers and the general public at risk.

It's evident that a reform in police academy training is required. If we teach officers about dog behavior, how to read their body language, when they should use force and when they shouldn't, we could prevent further suffering.

In the United States, there are approximately 78 million owned dogs (American Pet Products Association, 2020), making a well-informed police force even more crucial. Understanding the distinction between an aggressive dog, a scared dog, and a playful dog isn't specialized knowledge; it's a requirement for anyone in a position of authority.

In memory of Miso, and for the safety of all, I urge policymakers to implement mandatory training on dog behavior for police officers. Let's aim for a future where no pet owner has to experience what Miso’s owner did. Please sign this petition to make standard training on dog behavior in police academies a reality.