Police dogs in Norway are finally getting the respect they deserve. The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that they are are public servants, making an assault on a police dog as serious as an attack on any police officer.
The precedent-setting case centered on a police dog named Casper, who was attacked for doing his duty.
In May 2007, in the western city of Bergen, a 29-year-old man was caught breaking into an apartment. When police tried to arrest him, the man fled. But Casper gave chase — and collared the suspect.
In his effort to escape, the suspect, whose name was not reported, began kicking and punching the dog. Casper did his duty, though, and succeeded in holding the man until human officers handcuffed him. The man was charged not only for the break-in, but also with assaulting a police officer — in this case, Casper.Two lower courts dismissed the assault charge, saying the offense only applied to human officers.
But – “The supreme court finds that the concept of assault must also be used to cover assault on a police dog that is being used to help the police,” said court ruled. “An attack on a police dog must be judged on the same basis as an attack on a public servant.”
I agree…
All I want to know is, Casper, why the long face?
When a police dog is mauling you or you’re being beaten by homeland security remember to be compliant folks.
Nice media spin to make it a fluffy animal welfare story but they have just admitted that they see their animals as having higher status and protection in Law than ordinary people.
The role of police in a society which has lawbreakers is nothing new. The fact of scumbag politicians distorting that role does not alter that original – and necessary role.
If egregious and anarchistic gits can’t comprehend that, well, I hope they’re never in the situation of needing to call a cop to protect them from one of their fellow citizens.
Will the Federal Fidos get GLOCKS AND TASERS, for self protection of course ???
When you get more time in jail for killing a dog, than killing me. Something has gone wrong.
This raises and interesting question. Would a personally owned dog that was assaulted while protecting it’s owner during a situation where the owner would be within their rights to physically defend themselves be granted the same standing?
Of course, #5 is not only discussing something off topic – it’s something not mentioned or proposed in the article.
RTFA, dunderhead!
#3 #7 – I’ve RTFA and yes, it’s a media fluff piece that says “ahhh aint it cute that these brave doggies now have the same status under the law as police officers”. However, the clear implication is that if you hit a police dog that is mauling you, you would be in serious trouble. As moss opined, police officers rightly have more protection under the law than ordinary citizens. But to have this protection extended to dogs!!
It must take a serious amount of faith in your government if you are happy knowing you have fewer legal protections than one of their animals.
Moss, just how low are you willing to go in order to get protection from all those evildoers?
woof!
Giving dogs the same or higher status then people? What next? The vote? Marriage? I guess I’m old fashioned but I’m not species confused.
Dogs are ideal for sniffing out drugs and the like, but commanding a police dog to chase and severely bite into someone’s flesh just seems overboard unless the officer personally saw the suspect commit a murder. If a dog was biting someone’s flesh, there’s a natural reaction to make it stop doing so. Same as if an officer was biting your flesh.
Yes, if a person is just randomly attacking a dog, definitely charge them with assault. But if the dog is physically biting flesh, human instincts are probably going to kick in and people are going to fight it off.
You guys are missing the point (as usual). And I think it is a point missed by most people and one that should be addressed by education.
YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO RESIST ARREST!
A mild verbal protest will probably be accepted by any officer. And you can take the issue to court. BUT!, you cannot resist arrest. “Don’t tase me, bro” will be completely ineffective if you continue to fight. If you don’t run from the human officers and fight the dog, the dog will not hurt you.
Assume the position and call your lawyer later.
—–Paul—–
I had a neighbor’s shepard attack me before, so if it’s a choice between getting mauled and extra time in jail for assault Benji is going down hard by any mean necessary even I have to gouge out an eye or crack it’s ribs. If a dogs attacking me and is causing physical injury I am not going to lay there and take it.
Not that I plan to ever do anything to find myself in that position, but still.
These dogs are not well trained. There have been several insidents where they have attacked with out being told to. My uncle trained dogs for the army his dogs could be left alone with anyone adult or kid. these police dogs can not be trusted in the same way. They have been trained to be mean. This is not nessasary or needed unless you are a asshole and like to hurt people. Locally we have some of the top dogs in the nation they still can not be off leash around civilians. If they attack me unprovcked and I defend myself I am breaking the law.
Actually, if you are attacked unprovoked by any public servant, you have the right to defend yourself. The story is about someone who was reisisting arrest and the dog was doing exactly what we want him to do, stopping the miscreant.