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Deputy attacked and bitten by dog near Lyons - dog shot

Saturday, January 3, 2009
By Anna Rochelle, Staff Writer

Greene County Sheriff's Deputy John Fowler was transported to Greene County General Hospital on Friday and treated for a dog bite he received while attempting to serve papers at a rural residence outside of Lyons.

Sheriff Terry Pierce reported the dog was shot and killed by Fowler when the dog attacked and the deputy was unable to get away from the dog.

The incident happened at a residence on County Road 600W south of CR 225S.

Pierce said Fowler was in difficult situation.

"The dog's bite went through his boot and into his foot, it broke the skin, then the dog continued on the attack. John tried to break free and get his foot clear. He tried to retreat but he couldn't get away fast enough," said Pierce.

The dog was transported to a veterinarian to be tested for rabies.

Noting his own love for dogs, Pierce acknowleged how hard it is to lose a pet but said the situation could have been much worse if the dog had gotten the deputy all the way down and the deputy then been mauled.

After an acquaintance of the dog's owners alerted the Greene County Daily World about the incident Friday afternoon, the owners were contacted. They said they were upset to lose their dog but declined to comment further until after they had a chance to meet with the Sheriff's Department.

Comments

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Since all of you are so good, and oppiniated, why don't you go to the Law Enforcement Academy, and clean up our streets, since you think Law Enforcement around here is a joke. I am sure that you will find out that you cannot do any better.

-- Posted by avenger on Sat, Jan 3, 2009, at 6:29 PM

Dogs know who cops are? And who taught this dog what a cop looks like? And how did that dog know he had a loaded gun? Evidentally it didnt know he was packin heat or it wouldn't have brought teeth to a gun fight. Crazy critters

-- Posted by Dtown on Sat, Jan 3, 2009, at 6:36 PM

A dog that attacks, bites and injures is or should be a dead dog, no matter, even if it was my dog.

No Exceptions,

-- Posted by gary g on Sat, Jan 3, 2009, at 7:06 PM

For all that money ya could have moved to oh say Gary, its nice and safe there. For the money the cops get paid your lucky there is any that wants to risk there life for such little money. And whos to say you aint a criminal that just has a problem with the police? Either be thankful for what we got or step up and do somthing about it. But stop ranting on here and go to council meetings or write your congressman. Readers of the GCDW aren't going to do it for ya.

-- Posted by Dtown on Sat, Jan 3, 2009, at 10:52 PM

Hey Dtown-- I am agreeing with you, that is what Ditto means... Also my son is a Police Officer in Greene County so I do care. Do not even think for 1 second I do not care. When my son told me he was going to be an Officer in Greene County where I grew up I was proud and yet scared as heck. I see what goes on there. Things are different from when I was there.

I do not sit on my rear about things I assure you. I am not a sit/stand back and whine about it person. My family and I have promoted several good things in Greene County in past years.

-- Posted by gary g on Sun, Jan 4, 2009, at 11:50 AM

The yard is not fenced.The dogs name was Harley.

Harley had a collar on, I don't know about current tags.

The dog was loose,not chained. Also this is a farm house in the country, not a house in town.

The dogs house is next to the driveway, and easily visable. the dogs food and water dishes were next to the sidewalk, which is next to the driveway, which is next to the dog house. Pretty easy to figure out there was a dog there. I hope the tests turn out to be negative, the next few days will be pretty nerve racking for the officer.

-- Posted by wo town guy on Sun, Jan 4, 2009, at 12:29 PM

Wasn't refering to you gary, I agree with you.

-- Posted by Dtown on Sun, Jan 4, 2009, at 2:55 PM

SORRY ABOUT THE OFFICER WHO WAS ATTACKED, BUT. THIS DOG WAS DOING WHAT DOGS DO AN THAT IS TO PROTECT THEIR OWN PROPERTY AN THERE IS NO LAWS SAYING THAT HE HAD TO BE TIED UP OUTSIDE OF CITY LIMITS.HE WAS DOING THE SAME AS THEIR DOGS DO TO US, WHEN WE ARE DOING SOMETHING WE SHOULDNT BE DOING. ( ATTACK ) THE OFFICER SHOULD BE MORE OBSERVANT OF HIS SURROUNDS..HE WILL HEAL, THAT POOR DOG WONT..SORRY FOR UR LOSS.

-- Posted by fishhead on Sun, Jan 4, 2009, at 3:39 PM

fishhead,

FYI....there is a leash law in Indiana, you have to have your dog under control at all times.

This means fenced in, chained or on a leash at ALL times!

I know this for a fact because I won a judgement

through the court on a dog attack case.

-- Posted by hunter_47443 on Sun, Jan 4, 2009, at 6:57 PM

The Officer in this case is no SPRING CHICKEN. You don't know what he was feeling or thinking. Maybe he didn't think he could get back to his car without further injury. With all of the people that have been killed by dogs recently, maybe he done the right thing by shooting it. I am a dog lover myself, and I am sorry that these people lost their pet. I hope everything turns out well for all involved.

-- Posted by avenger on Mon, Jan 5, 2009, at 5:36 AM

I am a dog owner who loves my dog dearly.He's a lot of company for me,but,has anyone really read what was in this article? The officer was SERVING PAPERS.He had every right to be where he was,without the fear of danger to himself or others.Please be kinder to our officers.They put their lives on the line every day for US.

Also,my dog is on a lead EVERY time he's taken out.This just makes good sence.I live 2 miles NE of Linton and see many unleashed dogs.I saw 2 this morning walking accross a field,pass through our neighbors' yard,on accross the road into another yard,and if my dog had been loose,he would have gotten to them,as my dog can be agressive.I am aware of that fact,that is why he's on a lead ANYTIME he's outside.Please be as considerate.

-- Posted by gravytrain on Mon, Jan 5, 2009, at 10:03 AM

Yes, the leash law. Sorry but it is there to protect innocent people from getting hurt. you would be happy it is there if a dog tried to attack you. My dog is tied up if he is outside, not just for others protection but for his too. Lets not forget the are animals, and animals are unpredictable. I love my dog, but i dont blame the officer at all.

-- Posted by redbird08 on Mon, Jan 5, 2009, at 10:22 AM

to all of you saying this dog was doing what dogs do,it was a home in the country etc etc what if that had been a child who was attacked? would you all still defend the dog?The officer did what he had to do.I love all animals and have pets myself that are kept contained in a fenced in yard,but if one attacked or bit someone it would be put down

-- Posted by granny4 on Mon, Jan 5, 2009, at 12:12 PM

anyonebutjonesformayor: YOU ARE UNEDUCATED AS TO THE "HELD SECURITY"OF DOGS. INDIANA CODE 101-345--78-673 CLEARELY STATES THE REQUIRMENTS OF DOGS AT THE EXTERIOR OF A RESIDENCE WHEATHER IT BE RURAL OR NOT. DOGS MUST BE SECURED AND IF THEY ARE LET TO RUN AT A RESIDENCE IT IS THE CHOICE OF THE OWNER TO BE LIABLE IN THE EVENT OF AN ATTACK OR BITE. IT AS CLEAR AS THE NOSE ON YOUR FACE, IF YOU WILL JUST READ.THIS APPLIES TO EVERY SQUARE INCH OF THE STATE OF INDIANA. SINCE THIS OFFICER WAS SERVING PAPERS HE WAS NOT TRESSPASSING AND IN DOING SO WAS GRANTED SAFETY BY THIS INDIANA CODE TO SERVE SUCH PAPERS. IT IS ALSO STATED AS TO WHERE A DOG CAN BE SECURED ON A PROPERTY SUCH AS NOT WITHIN 15 FEET OF AN ENTRANCE BE IT A USED ENTRANCE OR NOT.AND ALSO NOT WITHIN 25 FEET OF A REASONABLE PARKING SPACE TO WHICH TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE SAID ENTRANCE. PLEASE BE AWARE.

-- Posted by onebyone on Mon, Jan 5, 2009, at 1:24 PM

Fowler did exactly what should have been done. The owner of the dog is lucky it was not a child the dog attacked... I love animals and would be heartbroken if i lost my animal in this way but i would also understand the officer did what he thought he had to do in order to get away, animals especially Dogs are so unpredictable you just can never be to sure about them.... Hope everything Comes out well with the test John and Susan...

-- Posted by PROUD_MOMMY09 on Mon, Jan 5, 2009, at 1:45 PM

Who let the dog out?!?! come on sing along..

-- Posted by Dtown on Mon, Jan 5, 2009, at 2:21 PM

ONEBYONE

If there is a leash law you need to inform the Sherriff's department. I was attacked 1 1\2 years ago, in the middle of the road not on this persons property. I had to go to the hospital and have staples put in my head. The Sherriff's department was called took pictures went and talked to the owners. I was told that the leash law is no longer in effect in the State of Indiana. That if I wanted anything done I would have to go to small claims court. This was not the first time these dogs attacked (off of their property). The first time the dogs killed livestock a mile behide these individuals house.

-- Posted by doodlebug on Mon, Jan 5, 2009, at 7:01 PM

this gary must be cold hearted, and not have a love for animals, i beleive in 2nd chances. I would NEVER walk on someone else's property with out looking around to make sure that it is safe, as a sheriff he should have known this. He could have used mace instead of a gun. My thoughts and prayers go out to the dogs owners.

-- Posted by Indylady68 on Mon, Jan 5, 2009, at 11:43 PM

Mace that patrol officers carry only work on humans not dogs and cats and such. A person is more valuable than a dog, period. Yes it is a shame the dog was shot but would you let a neighbors dog keep ATTACKING you if you had the means to stop it? The owners forced the officer to put the dog down in DEFENSE. Anyone pray and thank god that the bullet didn't hit a person? I think the officer made a good decision. The officer took a chance on missing and hurting a person. Guess training helps hugh? Maybe you anti's should donate $ for "better?" training?

-- Posted by Lokemup on Tue, Jan 6, 2009, at 6:00 AM

Actually mace works on dogs...but the deputy did the right thing. If you even spray mace into the air near a dog they shy away but if the dog is already chewing on your appendage, shoot it; you don't know if that animal has rabies or how fast he can chew.

Duh, it's pepper spray; the effects are universal. Go try it with your own Fido but shoot him when he freaks out on you.

-- Posted by YouPeopleAreAllCrazy on Tue, Jan 6, 2009, at 12:02 PM

You could probably spray mace into a fish's eyes and it would try to blink.

Let's see how many take the bait for that one...

Pepper spray. Not human only pepper spray. Only an extremely furry animal could deflect the effects of pepper spray because of the fur and delayed reaction to pain.

-- Posted by YouPeopleAreAllCrazy on Tue, Jan 6, 2009, at 12:05 PM

Maybe them people trained there dog to be mean? Its a possibility.

-- Posted by Dtown on Tue, Jan 6, 2009, at 4:13 PM

Dtown, Harley was barely trained not to jump up, He was just a dumb pup. Definately not trained to be mean, or attack.

-- Posted by wo town guy on Tue, Jan 6, 2009, at 5:06 PM