Arfee reaction overblown

Before the good citizens of Coeur d’Alene move on City Hall shouting, “Paws Up; Don’t Shoot,” let’s get the facts. Put yourself in the officer’s shoes. He is approaching a suspicious vehicle, possibly with a weapon drawn, and suddenly a big, black dog lunges at him. His startled reaction is a pure, reflexive response. I know I have experienced similar situations in the parking lot while shopping. If your readers haven’t, they probably don’t get out much. Fortunately, in most cases the car windows were either closed or cracked. Maybe we should not leave our animals in unattended vehicles; we don’t leave our minor children, do we?

I believe most of us have a soft spot for dogs. The Boston terrier is my particular favorite. This is not a case of cruelty to an animal; this is a case of conditioned reflex. Have mercy on this officer and cut him some slack; from this moment on, he is forever going to be known as “the cop who shot Arfee the black Lab.” A sincere apology to Arfee’s owner and an offer to replace the animal should suffice, in our otherwise litigious society.

Bob Costigan

Spirit Lake