Pet owners are outraged by the video below of a San Marcos police forcing Michael Gonzalez thought that to wait by the side of the road as his dog, Missy, dies in his car. Gonzalez was speeding between 90 to 100 miles an hour to an emergency veterinary clinic when he was pulled over. The officer showed callous disregard for his concerns, even telling him that he can simply buy a new dog. Unfortunately, this is not unique conduct, even when a driver’s life appears at risk as in the video below of a woman who lost her baby after police disregarded her pleas for medical assistance in St. Louis.
Gonzalez and his girlfriend Krystal Hernandez were stopped early Aug. 5 with their teacup poodle when they were held by the side of the road.
While saying “This was not our finest hour,” San Marcos Police Chief Howard Williams nevertheless cleared the officer of wrongdoing. It would seem that a reprimand at a minimum is warranted.
Gonzalez and Hernandez pleaded with Stephens to allow them to continue to the clinic or to let Gonzalez to stay behind while Hernandez drove with Missy for medical treatment.
Stephens responded: “Chill out, it’s just a dog, you can buy another one.”
Other officers have been accused of such lack of concern in highway stops, such as this video of a pregnant woman who lost her baby when she was stopped while bleeding, click here. A female officer shows utter disregard for her obvious medical emergency — which resulted in the loss of the baby. The tape shows officers virtually mocking the woman in distress. When she asks why they will not let her get medical help, a male officer says “because I think there’s still a little bit more than what you are telling us. You sure are playing hard to get lying to us.” A female officer tell her “Don’t cop an attitude with me. It’s called a menstrual cycle.”
Salva is heard asking: “Can I go to the hospital?”
A male officer responds coldly, “You can go to the hospital when we’re done with you.”
Click here.
For the video, click here.
For the full story, click here.
I have never heard of a nice cop-anyone I know who has come in contact with one-says they are arrogant-so why are we surprised! They care about getting who ever they are after-making them feel like crap-and being as cocky as they can be in the process. He will find out he was wrong-sooner or later-his actions will follow and follow and follow him all the his life-and if he had half a brain-he’d think-next time-but as we all can see–he has NO brain and He has NO heart! Can you imagine being raised by someone like this? Or better yet marrying him-bla! If this had been a police dog-things would of been 100% taken care of-Godd luck dude you are gonna need it! V
The lesson I take away from this is do not stop. If I ever find myself in a medical emergency I will not stop for anything now. I’m glad I got to make this decision now rather than in the situation.
Too bad most law enforcement agencies test prospective officers’ proclivity to question.
They would have had to arrest me at the clinic and probably pull me off the cop.
This is what happened to our dog and this was published as an editorial.
A Faithful Friend is Lost
“For the soul of every living thing is in the hand of God….” Job 12:10.
One who has not known the unconditional love, devotion and companionship of a dog is one who has not lived. My grandson and son knew this kind of love and devotion in their dog, Nemesis. Nemi was only 2 ½ years old when an uncaring, selfish and heartless individual decided they would take her life by shooting her. She had no chance against an evil force she knew nothing about. I wonder what she must have thought and how she must have felt when the bullet entered her body. She had never been mistreated by anyone and only knew love from us. This cold, cruel and insensitive individual could have sought other means to run her away rather than take her life. You know who you are and you have to live with what you did. You took a life. Yes, it was a four legged creature, but one that was created by God and given to us to love and care for. Nemi was strong enough to drag herself home and allow us to bury her where she had run and played with her brother and had so many fun filled days with my grandson. All too soon snuffed out by someone who obviously does not know the meaning of love. How could you be so cruel to do this to one of God’s most precious creatures? One who protects, loves and asks for nothing in return other than a kind word and a pat on the head. Why did you do this? Why? How do you tell a little boy that someone shot his dog? What do you say? Maybe you need to be the one to tell him what you did. The one thing I know in my heart is that a day will come when my family and I will be reunited with Nemesis again and she will run to meet us, tail wagging so glad to see the ones she loved here on earth. She will rollick again with her brother like she used to do. She will know no pain and not ever have to worry again about being hurt and feeling the excruciating pain of a heartless person.
Same deal happened to me (w/diabetic cat). I’m still so traumatized by the experience I don’t like to think about it. Just grateful to Turley and commenters for raising awareness. Thank you.
JT:
I think we’re out of court in Texas on negligent infliction of emotional distress too. In Boyles v. Kerr, 855 S.W.2d 593 (1993) the Texas Supreme Court explained ,”we hold only that there is no general duty not to negligently inflict emotional distress. Our decision does not affect a claimant.s right to recover mental anguish damages caused by defendant.s breach of some other legal duty.”
Mespo:
Good point. Negligent emotional distress is a possibility but this is a discretionary act by an officer. It would be hard to get beyond immunity challenges.
JT
rafflaw:
I think a civil suit is problematic on many fronts, not the least of which is the limit on damages imposed by the law’s insistence that pets are merely personal property. Sovereign immunity is a concern too. I doubt if any damages could be obtained for negligent infliction of emotional distress given the lack of of physical injury to the owners, and intentional infliction is probably out the window given the driver’s conduct and the officer’s obvious reason to stop the vehicle. Proving that the delay in treatment would have made a difference in the pet’s outcome is tough too.
This is a classic case where the law provides little to no remedy. It is the responsibility of those in charge to remedy this matter, and I see very little responsibility being taken. The law is not a perfect remedy and it is not a substitute for maturity, judgment, training, or compassion.
Get rid of that officer NOW!
“Police Chief Howard Williams said an internal investigation was begun after Gonzalez complained.
“This was not our finest hour,” Williams said. “It was not handled right by our officer, but whether there was a violation of our policy that is subject to punishment, I don’t know.”
He said the officer has been “counseled” by supervisors…”
***
ie it’s well known – he screwed up BIG time – not to worry…
I live in Australia and a story like this makes me glad that I do. It’s both disgusting and disgraceful conduct and I cannot believe it. This police office should be severely punished if not fired. If that were me with my pet in the car I would pay that officer a visit soon after and deal him a bullet. What a waste of space he is. Disgusting and awful.
Mespo is correct that the officer made a large mistake and should have helped the get the dog to a vet. The fact that this officer is not facing any disciplinary action is an affront to common sense. I am not surprised that this kind of arrogance displayed by a Texas police officer. I would think that a civil suit against the police department and officer could be in order. What do you think, Mespo?
Palindrome,
If we expect the police to treat everything on a Case-by-case basis, maybe we should be prepared to do the same with them.
Wow Muldrin, what a well thought out centrist position. Maybe the other cops could replace the black woman’s baby, you know, in good faith and all. Though her ticket should still stand too….
It seems like todays peace officers are so inundated with negative public input that many become calous and forget the human side. This officer was correct in stopping the 100 mph speeder but should have better assessed the situation. He forgot that part of his job is to assist the public not to harrass. Verbal reprimand is not sufficient and should be time off without pay. The wallet always remembers. Along with counseling and maybe a change in assignment he may come around. The ticket stands of course and it wouldn’t be a bad idea if the Police Department replaced the dog in good faith. If hindsight is better than foresight, next time the driver should obey the speed limit. In this case the dog might have survived since the pet hospital was only 8 miles away….
The media is in large part to blame. Edward’s treatment of his wife as a FORMER candidate should be far less important than McCain’s treatment of his disabled first wife as a PRESIDENTIAL candidate.
As demonstrated above, the story of the death of a Black child was second to that of the death of a dog.
Most of “the people” like it there, that’s why McCain even has a chance against Obama.
What do u do to start the pendulum swinging back toward the people? its swung so far toward the authoritarian side.
Two White, redneck Cops ignoring an injured and bleeding pregnant Black woman, this story wouldn’t surprise me any less if they tasered her into inducing a miscarriage.
I was going to suggest that people like this poor woman don’t stop and just continue driving to the hospital, but I think Cops like these would have dragged her out of an Emergency Room anyway.
The rookie officer’s actions in the dog incident were thoughtless and uncaring but the driver’s actions in going 90-100 mph qualify for that distinction too. I think the reasonable approach was to escort the couple and dog to the vet and then write the ticket there. In the other incident with the pregnant woman, the officer was guilty of more than just abuse of authority. That was criminal.