Only in Arkansas

[Will Bison]

 

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 
Cop suspended for firing Taser at cows



DO HAVE A COW: An Arkansas cop will be suspended for 10 days without pay after his superiors found out that he fired a department-issued stun gun at two cows. Seriously.

David Mitchell, whose family owns several cows, committed the act in June 2006 in property he owns, according to the The Morning News. Mitchell apparently showed several of his colleagues videos of the incident. The department started an internal investigation after an animal-rights group complained.

Ironically, the incident appears to have inflicted more damage on Mitchell than the cows, and we're not just talking about the suspension. In a move that would make the Keystone Cops proud, Mitchell's first Taser shot missed the cow after the device malfunctioned -- shocking Mitchell and a male companion instead. The second Taser shot did hit the target but the cow appeared unaffected. Mitchell's suspension starts March 17. JASON HIDALGO
 
 
 
 

[rex6666]

I would have tried that just to see what would happen, when i was about 16-17.
this guy is a cop, the way i have seen them test these is shoot each other with it, i am no animal
rights nut, but if you want to know how it works try it on the county judge.

[victorcharlie]

I was his cow wasn't it?

[rex6666]

I give up were you his cow
spelling changes things
but how would he really know how it worked does the cow talk.

[rockbilly]

If I were Chief of Police in that town, that cop would be looking for new employment today.  This is a totally dumb move on his part, and not only does it reflect bad on the individual, it also reflects on the department.  Is their leadership so weak that they allow things that effect moral and image within the department to exist without repercussion? 

[SHOOTALL]

Back in the 70's Nixon got screwed over some tapes ! guy's will you ever learn ? don't tape stuff ! and really don't tape stuff you are in !

[rex6666]

YEA Shootall is right ALL WAYS BE THE CAMERA MAN, NOT THE STAR.

[cochise]

i agree that it was poor judgement to taser a cow while on video tape but i don't think the guy should be disciplined for it- he broke no laws.  I bet these are the same animal rights morons who get all upset about the use of cattle prods in stockyards. Cattle are property and future food not people.
maybe he wanted to see if he could stop a large bovine from goring somebody. why are the police/government brass always kissing peta/hsus/alf's butts? I am personally more concerned about the cops, politicians and judges who cheat on their wives.  A guy who will violate that covenant won't think twice about violating his oath of office.

[williamlayton]

I tend too agree with rockbilly.
Blessings

[SHOOTALL]

I don't agree with him , if i were issued a tool i would want to know how it worked ( REAL WORLD ) and its limitations !
Think , if a large animal was loose where it was a public safety hazard could the taser be used to stop the critter or not !
They shoot humans with the thing , get real and stop acting like a PETA idiot puppet !

[james]

When a cow gets down in the middle of a semi load, sometimes a shock with a cattle prod is the only way to get them up.  If you don't get them up, they get trampled to death. The taser will have much less effect on a cow than a human due to its size and thick skin.  The do gooders need to mind their own business because they don't have a clue what its like in the real world.  I saw on the news last night where charges were filed against a hairdresser because she dyed her poodle's hair pink for a cancer drive.  Give me a break, this is ridiculous.
If someone wants to sneak up behind a grizzly  and pop him with a taser I think he should be able to.   Who knows... they might discover a non lethal method of bear repellent.  Or... we might have one less anti gun lobbyist.

[rockbilly]

First, there is not a bigger advocate for firearms on this forum than I.  

Most every police agency in the US that uses the Tazer has a demonstration/training program where the gun is used on those attending the class.  I would be surprised to learn that this was not the case for this officer.  Why didn't he have his buddy check it out on him?  Could it be he is just a coward wimp and and shot the cow because he is  afraid of a few volts of electricity?

Ask any Law Enforcement officer and I am sure they will agree that one of the greatest assets to maintaining law and order is a good public image.  Stupid tricks like this do foster a good public image.  Using the justification that you want to know how the tool works does not make sense either, what next, do you support checking out your .40 auto on the neighbors dog to see if it works? It is not a question of being a " PETA idiot puppet,"  but rather a question of common sense and logic as applied to, most likely, government owned equipment, and the expected respectable performance of a public servant.

[williamlayton]

I agree.
I think that the evidence will show it to be a "bubba" stunt---not thought through, without any validity for reasoning and, certainly, less tan a mature thing for a public official whose sole purpose is  to show wisdom and respect.
His action taints a lager group of dedicated professionals who fight everyday too overcome the sheer idiocy of people who may not be qualified too wear a badge.
Just as today---our regular coffee group was visited by the police chief--just a fairly common occurrence when he is out and about at coffee time.
I questioned him about a police officer I saw running radar in a school zone. Nothing wrong with this and i appreciate the diligence----except that the day he was doing it was a teachers work day and there were no students in school--yet the school flashers were going.
I was lucky that I did not remember this and was driving 20mph---but had I remembered i probably would have been ticketed for doing the posted 30mph's allowed when school was not in.
He just shook his head and said some folks are just idiots.
It is a tough job at the best of times and often an impossible job---even without being brain dead.
IMO
Blessings

[rex6666]

Rockbilly
I think you have hit the nail on its little ole head.
As for THE REAL WORLD let your buddy try it on you. I have hauled many a load of cattle and
used a prod many a time, that is to get the cattle excited so they will get up, key word EXCITED
this not what you want when tiring to subdue and animal, that is what tranquilizer guns are for,
don't see cops carring them INCASE a large animal gets loose. All actions like these do is make
people who carry guns look stupid. Like Billy said shoot your neighbors dog to see if you gun will do
what you want it to, dogs are just property you can get him a new one.