'Why did my dog have to die?': Owner questions RCMP shooting
A Saskatchewan woman whose dog Duke was shot by RCMP officers while her boyfriend was being arrested in 2014 says the animal didn't need to die, and is awaiting the outcome of a formal complaint to the force's Public Complaints Commission.
Justine O'Soup's dog was shot July 18 last year during the arrest of Adam Cote, who was in a home on the Key First Nation about 290 kilometres northeast of Regina.
Cote was facing a number of charges, including aggravated assault, and warrants had been issued for his arrest.
He was found at the home of the O'Soup family.
Cote's girlfriend said her sister was home at the time of the incident and took video of what happened.
It has been published twice on social media, and the most recent posting has attracted considerable attention and commentary.
In a statement issued in 2014, RCMP said the dog was shot and killed after it attacked their own canine dog, which was at the scene.
Justine O'Soup said the family believes Duke did not attack.
"Duke wasn't acting aggressive," she said. "Even if my dog was attacking the [police] dog, shooting him seven times in the body isn't the way to handle it. It's cruel the way they shot him. Why did my dog have to die?"
In the video, someone is heard directing officers to "get the shotgun," and a moment later, a shotgun blast is heard.
Officers got Cote into custody and left as O'Soup arrived to find the family dog was dead and her sister deeply traumatized.
"She was freaking out, screaming and crying," O'Soup said. "I could see my dog's body on the ground, and I just knew instantly what happened and I couldn't believe it. And she was crying and freaking out and she was like, 'They just shot Duke.' And it just happened really fast for her."
Immediately after the incident, the family made a formal complaint. O'Soup said it has been acknowledged.
Cote is behind bars serving the final months of a total sentence of 22 months for assault causing bodily harm (he pleaded guilty to the charge, which is a less serious offence than aggravated assault).
RCMP said Wednesday they dealt with the matter in their 2014 statement about the arrest of Cote.
Here is the full text of the RCMP media release:
"On July 18, 2014, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Kamsack RCMP with the assistance of the Prince Albert RCMP Service Dog Unit attended to a residence on the Key First Nation as information was received that Adam Cote was hiding in the residence. Cote had warrants out for his arrest.
Cote was located hiding in the residence and was arrested. During the arrest of Cote, a dog from the community was shot and killed after it attacked the RCMP Police Service Dog. Cote suffered injuries during the arrest and was treated and remains in hospital. He is [in] police custody.
As a result of this incident, Cote is facing additional charges of resist[ing] arrest and breach of undertaking. Cote has been remanded on all charges and will be appearing in Yorkton provincial court on Wednesday, July 23, 2014.
Last week, Adam Cote was the subject of a press release as he had warrants out for his arrest on numerous charges including aggravated assault, assault causing bodily harm, break and enter as well as fail[ing] to attend court and breach of undertaking."
O'Soup said she is surprised the most recent posting of her sister's video has attracted so much attention, adding she hopes the publicity will lead to a resolution of the complaint.
"I am glad because I do want justice for my dog because I knew he didn't deserve that," she said.
O'Soup added she is unhappy with how the RCMP handled the scene, after Cote was taken away.
"It was really sad," she said. "They just left his body there. They just left her there. And she was the only person there and they just left her there."
