Some Dog-Shooting Reaction Extreme

The anger over the July 9 police shooting of 2-year-old black Labrador Arfee in downtown Coeur d’Alene is understandable. But some concerned citizens have gone too far. Huckleberries has perused emails fielded by the police department and city of Coeur d’Alene. Many are vulgar. Some threaten the police officer involved. One suggested that the officer who killed Arfee be shot in the chest with his own gun. Unhinged? You be the judge. Example: “A man with a receding hairline and no morals known as (interim Chief Ron Clark) is currently aiding and abetting the murderer, hiding him from the public.” Murderer? Next: “Nothing would make me happier tonight than to hear that your ‘distraught’ officer was gunned down in the line of duty in the same cowardly way he treated that dog.” Crazy talk. And: “Fire the cowardly, untrained, officer that shot the (NOT PitBull). Pathetic police work, I hope all the worst for your department.” And these are the comments I can print in a family newspaper. Some emailers kept their comments between the lines of reasonable public concern about the shooting. But many in the cyber lynch mob didn’t/ DFO , Sunday Huckleberries. More here.

Other SR weekend columns:

• Elemental allure /Adriana Janovich
• Obituaries add up to portrait of community /Shawn Vestal
• The Slice: It’s all about reaching the finish line first /Paul Turner
• Eye on Boise: Idaho parks board picks new director /Betsy Russell
• In The Garden: Knowing culprit keeps tomato problems in check /Susan Mulvihill
• Outdoors: Early risers into region’s alpine areas weigh risks, reap rewards /Rich Landers
• Spin Control: Mr. President, make visit to Washington about more than money /Jim Camden