Investigation underway after officer shoots 16 times at 2 abandoned dogs, killing 1
MEQUON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- An investigation is underway and activists are asking for justice after a police officer fired 16 shots at two dogs, killing one. CBS 58 obtained body camera video of the shooting, and we want to warn you, you may find it disturbing.
"It was shocking. I mean, it was horrific and brutal," said Danielle Dietz, who along with Alicia Hegedus, rescued one of the dogs shot by former Thiensville Police Officer Richard McCormick.
On April 23, around 1:30 a.m. near the intersection of N. Cedarburg Road and Highland Road, Mequon police responded to a call of two abandoned pitbulls. When they weren't able to get the two dogs into their squad car, the officers agreed they'd try again later. In body camera footage, you hear them say they're doing so "since it’s night and they're not bothering anyone, no one’s in danger. It’s not like people are walking around."
However, two hours later, Thiensville Officer Richard McCormick, in his police report said, while he was out of his jurisdiction, "In good faith, and consistent with my responsibilities as a police officer, I believed I should notify Mequon PD and attempt to safely contain the dogs so they would not pose a danger to motorists or pedestrians."
Later though, he wrote, "Fearing I could be seriously injured; I fired several rounds directly at the black dog to stop the threat."
While the dogs ran away, former Officer McCormick reloaded his gun. Eventually, Mequon police arrived, and he joked about the situation with them, saying he "picked up 15 casings, just in case you guys needed to know that," with a chuckle at the end.
The other dog, now named Ranger, ran into the woods. That's where he'd stay for 17 days until Hegedus and Dietz could trap him. "He was emaciated, he had a wound to his hip, which caused maybe some nerve damage that resulted in him dragging his paw," said Hegedus.
"We went through all of the angry, sad, frustration, not only going through those emotions though, it just led to more questions, more whys. But I think the biggest thing that I felt was shock, heartache, and anger." -- Danielle Dietz
The women argue the dogs barking did not mean they were being aggressive, simply defensive. They went on to say Mequon officers were originally in the right to leave the dogs alone while they awaited the adequate resources to help the dogs. Hegedus and Dietz hope to be a resource in the future.
The good news is Ranger has been at the Wisconsin Humane Society getting numerous surgeries, slowly getting better. Hegedus and Dietz are planning to adopt him together. They hope he'll be able to come to a loving home by the end of the week.
As for former Officer McCormick, he was placed on administrative duty and resigned before an investigation was completed. A criminal investigation is being led by the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office.