Local
Gay cop says dog shooting was necessary
Caretaker, animal rescue group call for police investigation
Editor’s note: This story has been updated since it was posted as the Blade’s Lou Chibbaro Jr. received returned calls from sources he hadn’t heard from when he initially filed. The additions are in bold text. Subsequently some of the initial reader comments are addressed in the additions.
A gay D.C. police officer and a gay caretaker of a dog named Parrot have become involved in a highly emotional dispute following the officer’s decision to shoot the dog before dozens of bystanders at D.C.’s annual Adams Morgan Day festival on Sept. 12.
Dale Edwin Sanders, an attorney representing Officer Scott Fike, said extensive media coverage of the incident has failed to report that Fike is a dog lover assigned to the department’s canine unit and takes home each night one of the unit’s German Shepherds.
“He’s being portrayed as a monster by bloggers and it’s totally unfair,” Sanders said. “He’s the last person in the world to shoot a dog if it wasn’t absolutely necessary.”
But Dupont Circle resident Aaron Block, 25, who was caring for Parrot through a dog foster care program run by the local group Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, told the Washington Post that Fike shot and killed the dog without justification after Parrot and a poodle being walked by a woman got into a fight on the street.
Fike said he isn’t authorized to speak to the media and referred a reporter to Sanders for comment.The owner of the poodle, Adams Morgan resident Sheila Martins-Silva, could not be reached.
John Valentine, an attorney representing Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, said Block told him Fike took hold of Parrot after Block had already subdued the dog and had him under his control.
Block said Fike forcefully pressed the dog into the pavement with his knee then tossed Parrot into a stairwell before shooting him in the neck and killing him in the stairwell.
“There were dozens of people watching,” Block said. “I can tell you that if you ask any of them they will tell you this was so unnecessary. There was no reason for that police officer to shoot Parrot.”
Sanders points to a police account that Parrot locked his jaws on the poodle’s paw as Block and others who rushed to the scene tried to free the poodle from Parrot’s mouth. Sanders said Fike told him Block had not been able to regain control over Parrot and the dog – who has been identified as a Shar-pei-pit bull mix breed – posed a threat to the safety of nearby festival goers.
Sanders said Fike, who was on patrol duty at the Adams Morgan Festival at the time of the incident, reported what he described as a chaotic scene, with festival goers screaming and a young man later identified as Block on the ground with his hand inside Parrot’s mouth.
“There was blood all over the place,” Sanders quoted Fike as saying in describing Block’s hand and arm. Sanders said Fike’s immediate observation was that Parrot was not under control and that Bock was being injured and he and others in the crowd were in imminent danger.
At the time Fike arrived on the scene, the Poodle had already been disengaged from Parrot’s mouth and Fike initially didn’t know another dog was involved in the incident, Sanders said. All Fike saw upon his arrival was Block’s hand locked inside Parrot’s mouth.
It was at that time when Fike kneeled on the dog and pulled on his leash, enabling Block to free his hand from the dog’s mouth, Sanders said.
Block called that account “not even remotely true,” saying he freed his own hand from Parrot’s mouth. He said he scraped his own fingers and hand as he pulled open Parrot’s mouth to secure the release of the poodle’s paw. He said his injury “was not big deal” and he didn’t need medical attention.
Sanders said Fike claims Parrot bit him as he tried to subdue the dog. Fike threw the dog into the stairwell as part of a “conservative measure” to try to injure and subdue the animal without having to use lethal force, Sanders said. But Sanders recounted Fike’s claim that Parrot began to charge at Fike from the staircase, prompting Fike to shoot the dog to protect himself and others standing nearby.
“If Scott hadn’t done what he did that dog could have gone into the crowd and killed somebody,” Sanders said.
Block said he was looking in another direction when the confrontation between the two dogs started and he did not see which dog started what he called a fight between the dogs. Valentine said other witnesses on the scene reported that the poodle inflicted injuries on Parrot’s face and they were unclear as to which dog started the fight
The poodle’s owner has said she allowed her dog to walk over to Parrot while both dogs were on leashes and without any indication that the dogs would get into a fight, Valentine said.
Block said Parrot has no history of biting anyone and described the dog as gentle and friendly to people. Valentine and Block said many witnesses who have come forward have backed up Block’s version of what happened.
Block said he doesn’t believe Parrot bit Fike and believes the injury reported on Fike’s hand was likely caused by chaffing from Parrot’s leash.
Valentine notes that a police report refers to Fike’s hand injury as an “abrasion” rather than a dog bite.
Sanders calls that account “absolutely false,” saying a police evidence technician examined and photographed Fike’s wound and observed puncture marks, confirming it as a dog bite. He said a police official also alerted Fike that he may have to undergo rabies shots if an autopsy of Parrot tests positive for rabies.
In a development that alarmed Fike and police investigators, according to Sanders, officials with Lucky Dog Animal Rescue couldn’t immediately find records showing whether or not Parrot had been given rabies shots. Sanders said that Fike was also concerned that Block wasn’t using an appropriate dog leash for taking Parrot into an area crowded with people, noting that Block should have used a “looped” leash that can be pulled over a dog’s snout and is far better suited to control a dog.
Block said Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, for which he is a volunteer, had all the necessary records for Parrot, including Rabies immunization records.
Sanders said witnesses, including a local judge whom he did not identify, have come forward to support Fike’s version.
Sanders said that before leaving the scene of the incident, Fike responded to pleas for help by Martins-Silva, the owner of the injured poodle, by arranging for a police officer in a cruiser to take the poodle to an animal hospital in Northwest Washington, where the dog received emergency treatment.
He said police officials have put Fike on temporary administrative leave as the department’s Internal Affairs unit investigates the incident.
The dog shooting, which received national media coverage, took place on 18th Street, N.W., with hundreds of festival goers standing nearby and dozens watching in horror as the incident unfolded.
Local
Anti-LGBTQ group claims Va. marriage amendment repeal will legalize polygamy
State Sen. Adam Ebbin rejected claim during committee hearing
A representative of an anti-LGBTQ group on Tuesday said the repeal of Virginia’s constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman would pave the way for the legalization of polygamy in the state.
“There are some, at least, very legitimate concerns about whether this would actually legalize polygamy, among other forms of marriage,” said Family Foundation of Virginia Legal Counsel Josh Hetzler.
Hetzler made the comment during a Virginia Senate Privileges and Elections Committee hearing on state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria)’s resolution to repeal the Marshall-Newman Amendment. Ebbin, who is the only openly gay member of the Virginia Senate, in response to the claim noted polygamy is a crime under Virginia and federal law.
“I take offense to the Family Foundation’s characterization that this would allow polygamy,” said Ebbin. “This has nothing to do with polygamy, what this has to do with is equality.”
Carol Schall, who, along with her wife, Mary Townley, joined a federal lawsuit that paved the way for marriage equality in Virginia, and outgoing Equality Virginia Executive Director Vee Lamneck are among those who testified in support of the resolution. The committee approved it by a 10-5 vote margin.
Virginia voters approved the Marshall-Newman Amendment in 2006.
Same-sex couples have been able to legally marry in Virginia since 2014.
The General Assembly last year approved a resolution that seeks to repeal the Marshall-Newman Amendment. It must pass in two successive legislatures before it can go to the ballot.
Ebbin earlier this month told the Washington Blade he remains “hopeful” the resolution will pass in the Democratic-controlled state Senate. Prospects that the resolution will pass in the Republican-controlled state House of Delegates are far less certain.
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin before his election reiterated his opposition to marriage equality. Youngkin, however, stressed it is “legally acceptable” in Virginia and he would “support that” as governor.
Virginia
Loudoun County removes LGBTQ book from school libraries
Superintendent overrules committee that called for retaining ‘Gender Queer: A Memoir’
A Loudoun County, Va., School Board committee on Jan. 13 voted to uphold a decision by Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Scott A. Ziegler to remove from the school system’s high school libraries a controversial LGBTQ-themed book called “Gender Queer: A Memoir.”
The book is an illustrated autobiography by non-binary author Maia Kobabe that contains descriptions and comic book style drawings of sexual acts that e uses to tell the story of eir journey and struggle in discovering eir gender identity.
Although the book has received an American Library Association award for its relevance to young adults, critics in school systems throughout the country have said its sexually explicit content is not suitable for school libraries.
The action by the School Board committee came after Ziegler asked a separate school system committee to review the book to determine if its content was appropriate for school libraries. Loudoun Public Schools spokesperson Wayde Byard told the Washington Post the committee, in a split vote, recommended that the book be retained in high school libraries.
According to Byard, Ziegler overruled the committee’s recommendation and ordered that the book be removed from the libraries. Byard said that decision was then appealed to a School Board appeals committee, which voted 3-0 to uphold Ziegler’s decision.
The decision by Ziegler to remove the book from school libraries took place about two months after Fairfax County, Va., Public Schools officials decided to return “Gender Queer” and another LGBTQ-themed book called “Lawn Boy” to their high school libraries after temporarily pulling the two books in response to complaints by some parents and conservative activists.
Two committees appointed by Fairfax school officials to review the two books that consisted of educators, school officials, parents, and students concluded that, while the books contained sexually explicit content, it did not cross the line as pornography or depictions of pedophilia as some opponents claimed.
“The decision reaffirms Fairfax County Public Schools’ ongoing commitment to provide diverse reading materials that reflect our student population, allowing every child an opportunity to see themselves reflected in literary characters,” a statement released by Fairfax school officials explaining their decision to retain the two books in their libraries said.
“Both reviews concluded that the books were valuable in their potential to reach marginalized youth who may struggle to find relatable literary characters that reflect their personal journey,” the statement says.
Local
Va. bill would restrict transgender students access to school bathrooms
State Del. John Avioli (R-Stanton) introduced House Bill 1126
A Virginia lawmaker has introduced a bill that would restrict the ability of transgender students and school board employees to use bathrooms and other facilities in public schools that are consistent with their gender identity.
House Bill 1126, which state Del. John Avoli (R-Stanton) introduced, would require “each school board to adopt policies to require each student and school board employee to have access to restrooms, locker rooms and other changing facilities in public school buildings that are shared only by members of the same biological sex; lodging accommodations during school-sponsored trips that are shared only by members of the same biological sex; and a single-user restroom, locker room, or other changing facility in a public school building, upon request, if the school can reasonably accommodate such a request.”
Avoli introduced HB 1126 on Jan. 12 on the same day the Virginia General Assembly’s 2022 legislative session began with Republicans in control of the House of Delegates. Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin took office on Jan. 15.
State Sen. Travis Hackworth (R-Tazewell County) last month introduced Senate Bill 20, which would eliminate the requirement that school districts must implement the Department of Education’s trans and non-binary student guidelines. State Del. Danica Roem (D-Manassas), who in 2018 became the first openly trans person seated in any state legislature in the U.S., told the Washington Blade last week that she expects SB 20 “would be dead on arrival” in committee.
Equality Virginia, a statewide LGBTQ rights group, on its website notes HB 1126 is among the bills that it opposes.
Democrats still have a 21-19 majority in the state Senate, and they have signaled they will oppose any effort to curtail LGBTQ rights in Virginia. Outgoing Equality Virginia Executive Director Vee Lamneck last week said their organization “will work with the Senate’s pro-equality majority to act as a crucial back stop against harmful legislation and efforts to roll back our hard-earned wins passed during the last two years.”
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Jillian
September 21, 2010 at 6:07 am
Why does this story discuss their sexual preference? Who cares! That has nothing to do with the issue. I am very happy to hear that fike is placed on leave. Hopefully he will be on leave WITHOUT his police K-9. Someone needs to ensure the safety of other animals fike has interaction with, until this investigation has been completed!
El Dorado
September 22, 2010 at 2:19 am
Because its a gay publications stupid. if they aren’t gay or having anything to do with gay issues then they are of no interest to this publication! Duh!
Jeff
October 30, 2011 at 9:57 pm
because this is a GAY newspaper …. That is why they are stating the sex of the police officer…
hg3300
November 5, 2011 at 5:53 pm
Oh, I see…so since the officer was gay, they’re taking his side. How neutral of them. Unless you don’t understand sarcasm.
Bronwen
April 10, 2012 at 5:31 am
The dog owner was gay too… and the article seems a lot more neutral than most others versions of the event floating around on the net.
Jason W.
November 14, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Seriously? If someone came out with a hetero newspaper, there would be a riot. lol. So rediculous…
Jillian
September 21, 2010 at 6:15 am
In regard to questioning the inclusion of sexual preference, I am now aware of the relevance. I had not heard of this newspaper prior to tonight. My apologies.
Rita
December 19, 2011 at 2:03 pm
I’m with you….even though it’s a gay newspaper it still doesn’t mean they have to refer to themselves as gay.
Antoine
April 2, 2013 at 2:07 pm
Always? Really?
Pam
September 21, 2010 at 12:53 pm
The small dogs always are the aggressors and instigators. We keep our two pit mixes away from all small dogs for this very reason. It doesn’t matter which dogs instigate the trouble, the pit will be blamed for it.
Nikki
October 29, 2011 at 10:46 pm
I completely agree with you Pam! I have an Old English Mastiff Male, 2 yrs old, 155lbs & I keep him away from all small/medium dogs because OF COURSE my dog is going to react & try to protect me when your tiny dog starts FREAKING OUT & barking & trying to be aggressive towards me & my dog–big breeds are always to blame even though they rarely are the instigators, especially pitbulls & it’s a damn shame :(
Chris
April 12, 2012 at 5:30 pm
Its never the breed its owner. Small dog owners need to realize their pets are dogs too and need the same training as a medium to large dog. Just because they fit in your handbag doesn’t mean that they are allowed to get away with everything.
WQ5
September 21, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Lou, Lou, Lou … I’m not accustomed to the Blade being used as a tool to affect the public narrative. Most of the mass of this article is someone’s lawyer – SURPRISE! – laying out some very lawyerly talking points to see who bites. I read the title of article and expected completely different content. This is not news; this is pre-litigation preparation of the battlefield.
I’ve known Dale for more than a decade. He’s doing what any good lawyer would do … and you fell for it.
Just because Officer Fike is a dog lover doesn’t intrinsically make him qualified to break up and subdue a dog spat on the street. Also, just because he knows how to handle a police dog that is trained to be aggressive, again, doesn’t necessarily qualify him to handle this situation better than the owner or foster parent. This is all unrelated pap that Dale is throwing out there because it affects the appearance of the narrative. Did you notice how few FACTS Dale threw in there?
C’mon, Lou!! An officer used lethal force in a crowd, where the witness accounts vary widely. Even the police report says that Parrot “apparerad [sic]to be out of control” … APPEARED. Even Officer Fike wasn’t as sure as Dale seems to be!! Further, the report also CLEARLY states that the smaller dog’s owner “was standing to the side holding a white poodle.” What that means, Lou, is that the dogs were APART during the narrative described by the police report. So, Dale’s decription of people who “rushed to the scene tried to free the poodle from Parrot’s mouth” is meant only to provide evocative justification for Officer Fike’s actions. Unfortunately, Dale’s input does not comport with the official police report.
This still smells like a bad shoot. So, I’ll look forward to hearing from the police union or Fike’s grandmother for more ‘facts’.
You can do better than this.
Jillian
September 22, 2010 at 3:27 am
Very well put! I agree completely.
Frankie James
September 21, 2010 at 3:04 pm
WQ5 – Bravo…
Well said. Because he trained and worked with police dogs he knows best… whatever!
And because he is GAY this now moves to us for sympathy two weeks later. Come on…
A “trained dog person” would have handled it better. Once the officer had the dog restrained with his knee in its neck, it was over.
No shots were necessary.
James
September 21, 2010 at 3:05 pm
this Cop is totally full of shit. I knew that dog and it would have never hurt a sole. Somebody take his gun away before he points it at you or me. PS Aaron is not gay. PPS, DC cops should live in DC not MD. PPPS this is the second dog this go has shot in 18 months. Sounds like a big animal lover to me.
ForParrot
September 21, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Being an animal lover means nothing. He did a horrible crime and should be accountable for it. We have seen the pictures of Fike sitting on the dog. I am so happy he is on leave for this. He should not be a K9 officer. I agree, the smaller dog probably started it, they are usually more aggressive but do less damage.
ForParrot
September 21, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Sexual preference? Oh please! Who cares. Officers lie all the time to cover their butts.
baltimoregal
September 21, 2010 at 4:32 pm
If the officer was so horribly bitten why did he refuse medical care? If the dog was so dangerous why are there so many reports to the contrary?
This is a surprisingly biased article. I’m also shocked you couldn’t find ANYONE to speak on the other side of this argument since Lucky Dog Rescue has been pretty forthcoming with the media. Look beyond this officer’s and attorney’s appeal to the gay community for blind support.
WQ5
September 21, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Here is a pic of Parrot an hour before he was shot … on a leash … with a stranger … in a crowd: http://twitpic.com/photos/kerrygutknecht
Of course, his disposition at this moment is no indication of how he would react to another dog … or, for that matter, react to being knelt on, being thrown down a stairwell by a dog lover, or being shot.
In the available photos, Fike has gloves in his back pocket and mace on his belt. Why did he opt for lethal force? For that matter, where was his canine partner???
Tabitha Rose Fuchs
November 11, 2011 at 4:48 pm
Just because he was fine during this picture doesn’t mean he was fine after he started to get in a fight. I love dogs also and know for a fact after they get going they are hard to stop. I am not saying that this cop was correct in shooting the dog I am saying that it could have been a necessary measure and you don’t know you weren’t there. The people there that think it was not something that needed to be done…. I mean come on no one wants to see an animal killed of course they are going to say it isn’t necessary I mean geez you guys didn’t even see it and heard about it and think it was unnecessary so imagine if you saw this horrible thing happen needed or not you are going to feel bad for the dog and say it should not have been killed DUH!!!!!
Mary
September 14, 2012 at 2:46 am
Very interesting to see this photo. To be honest, from reading the articles, I expected a much larger dog. Having controlled my own rescue, a 75# setter mix who came to me with a lot of fear aggression issues, I have no doubts that even I could have controlled this dog even if it were lunging and snarling at the end of his leash.
AHD
September 21, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Being gay has NOTHING to do with this shooting – shame on Officer Fike for trying to get sympathy that way.
Carlos
September 21, 2010 at 10:35 pm
While I am a dog lover, the fact that his handler could not break up the fight without him being bitten is a bit disturbing. Pit bulls are very strong and muscular and the actions of the officer seem to indicate an attempt to conrtol the dog before he shot it. It’s a shame, but if I saw a pit charging me, I would shoot it as well rather than get mauled. The officer in question also has the duty to protect the public. Had this dog gotten away, it could have seriousl injured someone in the crowd. Given that Officer Pike is assigned the K-9 unit, I think its safe to say he was familiar in how to handle dogs. It’s easy to question why this officer chose to shoot and dog which one person above described as having a temperament which would not hurt a “sole”, but the force of these dogs when enraged is quite incredible. Mace, while blinding the dog, may not have stopped the dog from biting someone, and gloves are not protection from powerful jaws and sharp teeth. the fact is this dog could not be controlled or calmed. No one seems to contradict that the officer attempted to subdue the dog, then throw it to a safe distance. What was he suppsoed to do, ask the dog politely?? Sorry, but if these attempts, and the attempts of the owner did not stop the dog from attacking another animal, and the animal then charged the officer, I do not blame him. It’s either him or the dog at that point.
Jillian
September 22, 2010 at 3:24 am
I understand your point with this if the facts were accurate, however I would ask that you please review the facts as well as the police report to find a few discrepancies with the story as you understand it to be and what has been officially documented. Aaron (the handler) was not bitten, nor was fike. Aaron had Parrot subdued prior to fike pushing him away and taking over based on his “k-9 experience and knowledge of how to handle the dog/situation”. Parrot was controlled prior to fike taking over the situation and in fact, Parrot still had his leash on in the pics showing fike with his knee and all his weight in Parrot’s back. Parrot was controlled. As for “throw it to a safe distance”, fike threw Parrot OVER a railing to the cement below, back first! So yes, I contradict him throwing Parrot to a safe distance and say what he did was an act of cruelty and done with the sole intent of executing him. There is absolutely no proof that has been officially released to indicate that Parrot charged up the stairs, which is only claimed by fike and a retired DC officer, all others made statements opposite that. I do not think Parrot charged at all, but that is neither here nor there as it is all just a he said/she said factor at this point. You said, “the attempts of the owner did not stop the dog from attacking another animal” but Aaron, Parrots foster, already had Parrot and was calming him when the “officer” got there. The dog fight was over. Dogs fight, it happens. They did what they needed to as far as separating the dogs and it was over. That should have been the end of it. And please remember that this was a poodle that was involved in the dog fight. If Parrot was viscous or unable to be stopped, either a) the poodle would have been killed, not bit on the leg and/or b) Parrot would have been shot while still attacking the poodle. In true dangerous attack situations, I agree that human life is number one. However this was not one of those situations. This was unacceptable and irresponsible and this “officer” should not be allowed to handle any animals and should be removed from the force. His unnecessary actions could have had very dangerous and deadly results for all that were there.
Tabitha Rose Fuchs
November 11, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Ummmmm maybe you should read what the police report says because it is online and even this it says “saying a police evidence technician examined and photographed Fike’s wound and observed puncture marks, confirming it as a dog bite. He said a police official also alerted Fike that he may have to undergo rabies shots if an autopsy of Parrot tests positive for rabies.”
Donna wolstenholme
February 12, 2013 at 4:23 am
How stupid you are! The handler states he injured his hand whilst putting it into the dogs mouth to free the other dogs paw – the dog did not attack him, if you put your hand into a dogs mouth, you will get injured the handler knew this and was not perturbed by it, as he said it was ‘no big deal’. The dog did not charge the officer, he was (as witness staements say) on his lead and held by his handler, how was he going to get away?? Sitting on the dog in such a manner would be excrutiatingly painful, the dog would have tried to get away from the policeman/sadist to stop the pain. Any struggle in trying to get away was not a charge! You clearly are not someone who knows aboug dogs, just another sick sadist. If the officer had used his mace on the dog whilst holding him down, the dog would have been unable to see and the pain of this would have prevented him biting anyone – how do you bite what you cannot see??? before you make judgements consider what you say and if you have the knowledge to say it, clearly in this case you do not.
El Dorado
September 22, 2010 at 2:18 am
IT’S SHOCKING THAT A GAY MAN SHOT A DOG! IS HE A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN??? GAY CONSERVATIVES TYPICALLY STAB THEIR FELLOW GAYS IN THE BACK FOR A TAX CUT OR PAY LAB DOG TO THE GOP LEADERSHIP FOR ATTENTION AFTER ALL. AS SUCH, I WOULDN’T BE SURPRISED IF THEY KILLED PUPPIES TOO!
kasey
September 22, 2010 at 2:42 am
Carlos:
You might want to learn the facts regarding this case before you post comments. Parrot did not bite his foster and there is no evidence to support Officer Fike’s contention that he was bitten. The only person bitten during this incident was bitten by the poodle. Witnesses have also stated that Parrot, dazed and likely injured by being thrown 12 feet on to concrete had only just gotten to his feet when shot. And his back was to the officer. Tough to charge at someone butt first.
Tabitha Rose Fuchs
November 11, 2011 at 4:54 pm
“saying a police evidence technician examined and photographed Fike’s wound and observed puncture marks, confirming it as a dog bite. He said a police official also alerted Fike that he may have to undergo rabies shots if an autopsy of Parrot tests positive for rabies.”
weshla
September 22, 2010 at 5:24 pm
To everyone saying that the dog did not bite aaron – yes, this may be true, the dog did not “bite” aaron. However, Aaron himself said (in a letter to the POP blog) that he was ATTEMPTING to calm the dog down by pulling it’s jaws apart, or putting his hand in the dog’s mouth. And multiple eye witnesses claim there was indeed blood on his hand and arm from being cut by the dog’s teeth while his hand was in the dog’s mouth, while he was *trying* to calm the dog. I don’t think it’s unreasonable that the cop assumed it was a bite, and is rightfully claiming so.
So, you’re a cop, with a duty to protect the public, and you run up to a scene where people are yelling, a poodle has an injured paw, and a traditionally aggressive breed of dog has a guy’s hand inside it’s mouth, and there is blood. Would YOU stop and ask the guy politely whether he indeed was being bitten, or whether his bleeding hand inside the dog’s mouth was merely a calming measure?
jo
September 23, 2010 at 4:30 pm
You need to read ALL the information and NOT just the information in this article. As WQ5 said above….this information was from a lawyer who is trying to protect his client. He was doing his job and apparently well.
BTW Aaron Block was NOT injured by by Parrot. However, Parrot was injured on the face by the other dog…thus the blood! And yes, a cop does need to ask some questions before pulling out his weapon and and shooting in a crowd. He’ll get off though because the cops always do.
Parrot
April 6, 2012 at 6:08 am
Awwwww…… the poodle got it’s paw bitten…….BFD. Not worth another dog being murdered for.
steve
September 23, 2010 at 4:40 am
I’m tired of hearing about this controversy. I’m glad the cop shot the stupid pit bull. You pit bull lovers are out of your minds. I’m fed up with pit bulls and I’m fed up with their owners claiming that these dogs are so lovable. Whenever I see a pit bull I’m afraid of them. I live outside of DC and I have a gun. I’d shoot a pit bull too if it came on my property.
RLO
September 24, 2010 at 3:45 am
Really? So open minded? Well loks like fear+ignorance – brain filter=posts like this. Nice work.
WQ5
September 24, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Thanks, Steve. Please enjoy your gun and existence outside of DC. I’ll look forward to your unsubstantiated generalizations again soon.
Pit Bull Owner
October 11, 2010 at 7:39 pm
If you’re so tired stop reading and typing. By the way closed minded coward, I don’t live in DC either and I also own a gun. Please come on my property.
Dana
October 24, 2010 at 3:12 pm
You’re an enormously ignorant person Steve, I feel sorry for you.
Tee
November 1, 2011 at 7:33 pm
i agree, their sexual preferences does not have anything to do with the situation. Both dogs shuld have been on leashes and if ur dog is prone to attack other dogs then keep them away from other animals….Poodles are some of the meanest dogs around. I work with dogs on a daily basis. I will say this though. Pitbulls get a bum rap! It seems as if the police officer could have taken a different route on this situation and avoided shooting and killing the dog. Dont cops have tasers????? and mase????? billy clubs????? wth??? shooting the dog tho? and to the guy saying u wuld shoot a pitbull…..you are ignorant…..if you ever shot a gun in the direction of my pitbull, I too have a gun and use it often….you would be meeting ur maker as well that day [profanity removed]!
Donna wolstenholme
February 12, 2013 at 4:26 am
Your just another gun happy prick aren’t you? I don’t even own a pit bull and I can see you for what you are. Your afraid of them because your a total girl – what a coward, get some manliness in you!
John
September 23, 2010 at 7:07 pm
The problem is not the dogs but the people. I have fostered pit bulls rescued from monsters who trail them to fight. They are the most forgiving and loving dogs you can find. The are all in loving families with children who know about dogs. Dog are what they are because of us and because we co-evolved with them; we are what we are because of them.
They are willing to do anything for us, for example:
http://www.times-herald.com/Local/Soldiers-hero-dogs-arrive-in-US-1229400
If you can’t read, then just watch any number of the programs on the National Geographic, Science, Animal, or other channels that atest to this. If you can’t deal with dogs, then you are not human. So, stop being ignorant about dogs, they know us better than we do.
As for Fike, he is a monster. He should be forbidden to be a K9 officer, forbidden from ever having a dog in any capacity, and should not come to within 5,000 km of any Canid and if that means throwing his worthless carcass into a rocket and launching him in to space, then so be it. Fike, and the police department, are covering their butts (ever wonder who gets the drunk driving ticket when two cops run in to each other?).
Further more, he has to turn straight, he is no longer welcome as gay man or even as a human being. What’s next for him? Gunning down a great grand mothers in their own kitchens holding butter knives because they’re making toast or fathers on their front porches having diabetic emergencies like so many of his cohorts?
WQ5
September 23, 2010 at 9:58 pm
… annnnnd, we continue to litigate this in the press.
The revisionist account by Officer Fike and Mr. Sanders is certainly getting more detailed, if detached from reality. Lou, instead of contrasting Officer Fike’s account (as amended by his lawyer) to Mr. Block’s account, how about comparing the lawyer’s revisionist account to the police report?
The police report says that Mr. Block was “on top of” Parrot, “trying to control” him. The lawyer’s version is that Mr. Block was “on the ground”, which is where I suppose someone would be if they’re controlling a red zone dog. However, the lawyerly choice of words makes Mr. Block more of a victim to the vicious dog, thereby justifying the officer’s intervention. The report also says that Mr. Block “appeared to have blood on his hands”, NOT that Block had “his hand inside Parrot’s mouth”. To say that Block had blood on his hands is significantly different than saying he has a pit bull on his hands.
As for the claim that Officer Fike was bitten, perhaps Officer Fike was negligent and not exercising good judgment in not wearing the GLOVES THAT WERE IN HIS BACK POCKET. [see photo of Officer-on-Parrot] Certainly, after being bitten (which was avoidable), it is possible Officer Fike was enraged and that contributed to his decision to use lethal force.
Regarding the leash, I hope that Officer Fike (through Mr. Sanders) isn’t referring to a Gentle-Leader-type leash; they don’t affect the dog’s ability to bite. How exactly a leash like this is going to affect a dog’s behavior within the radius of the leash (like in a crowd, when it would be slack) would be an interesting explanation of physics for a lawyer to make. The concern about the leash expressed by Officer Fike, after the fact, is interesting … if not germane. If, in fact, Officer Fike had the presence of mind to consider the leash during the scuffle, then why didn’t he think to put on his gloves or, better yet, ascertain whether Mr. Block really had blood on his hands or whether it was really just a pit bull.
Lastly, it was only a matter of time before “imminent danger” was trotted out as an excuse to intervene in the first place. The police report, unfortunately for the lawyer’s version, doesn’t suggest that Officer Fike feared for his safety until Parrot approached him after being thrown down the stairwell.
It’s still Officer Fike’s report vs. Officer Fike’s lawyer … and the lawyer isn’t winning.
Anon
September 24, 2010 at 5:19 pm
I like how that photo is cropped to make the dog look as vicious as possible
Pit Bull Owner
October 11, 2010 at 7:42 pm
They can try to but anyone who knows a Pit knows that is a big smile!
Rick Rosendall
September 24, 2010 at 6:17 pm
A lot of people are engaging in speculation and jumping to a lot of conclusions. Most of us love dogs, and this was a horrible incident at best. But assuming the worst, or viewing the evidence or available accounts from a biased perspective, does not help. Let’s exercise some restraint until the investigation and report are complete.
Logan
September 26, 2010 at 3:19 am
The officer would not have shot the dog if the dog had not bitten another dog and a person. So what is the lesson here- control your dog and do not let your dog bite people or other animals. This guy was caring for the dog under some sort of foster care program so he probably was not familiar enough with the dog to control the dog. Pit bulls are widely known to be violent. I’m sorry that the dog was shot, I have a dog myself. The bottom line though is that the officer would not have done anything IF the dog had not bitten a person and another dog. I think everyone is ignoring that fact. Police officers have a tough job to do and they have to make decisions in the heat of the moment. Would it have been better if he could have diffused the situation without shooting the dog- yes absolutely. But clearly that was not possible.
Pit Bull Owner
October 11, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Logan did you actually read the article or do you just have an issue with comprehension? The dog bit another dog not a person. The cop used excessive force, especially given the fact that he is a member of the K9 unit (so they claim). Where do you get your information Pit Bulls are widely know to be lovable and loyal. Have you read any books about the breed? Have you personally been around the breed? You know what the media wants you to know. That is why you perceive Pits to be a violent breed. My Yorkie has bitten dozens of people. Neither of my Pits has bitten anyone. Pit Bulls are lovers not fighters, until some jackass decides to make them mean, by starving them and depriving them of human contact. In addition, the majority of Pit Bulls that do lash out are toward another animal as instinct not violent aggression and not at a human. All dogs are territorial if another dog gets to close and doesn’t know the boundaries a fight is going to break out. This has nothing what so ever to do with the breed.
WQ5
September 27, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Logan:
Other than the officer (as reported by the lawyer but not corroborated in the police report), whom else did Parrot bite?
Was the white dog aggressive toward Parrot before being bitten? Some eyewitness account suggest that it was.
You make some serious assertions, when the facts contradict you or the facts aren’t known.
Just like any dog, pit bulls may be involved in aggressive acts because their owners have trained them to be or haven’t trained them at all. You have no facts to indicate that Parrot falls in either of those categories.
Officer Fike decided not to wear his gloves (you can see them in his back pocket in photos) or use his mace (also visible). If a CANINE OFFICER isn’t equipped or trained as well as a postal carrier to deal with dogs, you may have a plausible argument. Clearly, alternatives to using lethal force were possible.
lINDA
October 5, 2010 at 2:40 am
GAY COP OUT OF CONTROL
lINDA
December 1, 2010 at 11:29 pm
I believe Parrot was part Shar pei he appears to have the blue tint tongue common to the breed….
scotty501
June 25, 2011 at 11:37 pm
Has this officer EVER shot another dog?
K King
October 28, 2011 at 4:36 pm
The dog is a shar pei mix, no pit bull is in him. However, the issue is not about pit bulls, rescue dogs, or even how a dog should be handled….Its about an police officer who showed so much Fear towards this dog that he lost control! When I first saw the story I thought that this officer was afraid of dogs! There is an anger in him that is frightening & he MUST lose his job! What if that was a person?
wlc74
October 29, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Wrong. Read the article again.
Bhavna
October 29, 2011 at 3:35 pm
This bastard will burn in hell for what he’s done to this poor, harmless animal. A man with a gun should have the responsibility and level-headedness to be able to handle that gun. This guy appears to be an impulsive quack. Somebody should hurtle him down the stairs and put six bullets through his brain! The world needs to learn that just because animals don’t have a voice, their rights and lives can’t be taken for granted like this.
Julie
October 29, 2011 at 3:52 pm
This guy is the biggest P.O.S in the world. Remind me never to go to D.C. I guess all the fact that everyone says it’s dangerous and it’s ghetto is right and it’s because of the police it’s that way.
Julie
October 29, 2011 at 3:56 pm
there are a lot of dog lovers that are stuck on stupid about pitbulls they think their dog being it German Shepard or Chihuahua won’t bite only pitbulls do, so that fact that he said he brings the dog home every night means nothing. He is just one of the many morons that believe all the stereotypes of pitbulls. No wonder there are so many bullies in school, kids bully kids because they judge them based on looks, interests etc, they judge just like people do about pitbulls and they learn it from their loser parents and now police.
Kris
October 29, 2011 at 6:51 pm
What a joke. I love how they claim the pitbull “locked his jaw” on to the poodle. Anyone, with any knowledge of this breed know that pitbulls will hold on very tight, and they are strong, but there is no way for a pitbull to “lock” his jaw. That just brings about falsifications from this attorney representing Fike. What a shame we have a man in our unit of protecting society who can’t even handle a dog fight. Way to go DC police…way to go.
Y. Aragon
October 31, 2011 at 4:02 pm
The foster parent of Parrot claims he was able to unlock Parrot’s jaws to release the poodle. At least that’s what I read in another article.
JAY
October 31, 2011 at 12:08 am
BUULLLLLSSSSHHHHHIIIIIIITTT thats why 27 people that was there said the you didnt need to ATTACK the dog, nore SHOOT the dog,, you are a SICK FREAK
JAY
October 31, 2011 at 12:12 am
PS people around there want to know what dog bite? the little nip he gave you, after you spooked him? Your badge should be stripped, and you should be locked up. this is how psycho paths start out….
tax payer
October 31, 2011 at 8:43 am
Because the public and the tax payers send every officer to hours of training on how to deal with a dog attack in progress. Becauses the tax payers fund and supply the officers with exact item specific equipment to handle everything from a dog attack to a cobra snake.
The officer had the courage to HELP. Everybody else was standing around waiting to get good youtube video or send tweets. At first its “poor poodle attacked by pit’ but once the officer is forced to injure the attaking pit bull it becomes “mean dog killing cop”.
Ask yourself what would the headline have been if the cop had not injured the attacking pit bull.
My wife once rescued a very pretty and sweet brindled colored young female pit bull. She would play with our cats and just act like a baby. Yet if she could see another dog within sight distance she would become stiff and alert ready to just attack. Should the other dog come closer than 50 yards and it was fight time. I had to wrap the coller around its mouth and carry it out of the pets mart store. I gave the dog to my brother who let it get close to my mothers ankle bitters and it almost killed her dog. But again this was a sweet baby who played with our cats.
Mike
October 31, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Amen to Bhavna’s comment above.
And to ‘steve’ the dog hater living outside DC with his gun… please do us all a favor and put it in your mouth and pull the trigger you pos!!
Gretchen Stone
October 31, 2011 at 1:06 pm
SCOTT FIKE deserves hell and not much less……Acting as he did because of a dog fight, really? That is so pathetic and cruel!! Proves even more of how much this Scott Fike had become a beast and not a human! yeah great….just what we need on any police force…..a dip shit, ego driven, meat head with a gun and no brains!!! IF he was a REAL MAN, no gun would have been pulled out in a crowded public area!!! Hum…pepper spray, tazer??? …doesn’t that seem more appropriate!? Would love to throw this heartless, soulless, bastard down a flight of stairs and well…..figure the rest out!
Cla
October 31, 2011 at 2:53 pm
There was no reason whatsoever to bring the cop’s sexuality into this article. It has NOTHING to do with the incident. Unless you’re subtly trying to say that his homosexuality means he has no morals or some nonsense like that. Anyway, all you’re doing by bring up his sexuality is directing attention away from the REAL problem and asking for trouble. Stop trolling and grow up.
Josie
October 31, 2011 at 10:08 pm
I am not really interested if this cop is gay or not…he used excessive fo
rce with an animal when it was not necessary, that poor dog did not need to be thrown down stairs, pinned down, shot 6 times in the head..that is sick, he should be fired,if he is capable of this behavior…what happens next? He is a loose cannon, someone who crossed the line. He is absolutely disgusting!
M. Miller
November 1, 2011 at 4:22 am
was it seriously necessary to point out the men were gay? Terrible reporting all around. Slanted, at best.
Hank
November 1, 2011 at 3:08 pm
so Fike is a homosexual that explains everything pent up sexual frustration. Whatever happened to calling it like it is. Needless info. He’s a prick or is it prickee! Everyone stood around and did nothing but watch, we are a gutless populace of watchers not doers. This whole thing was being taken care of by some onlookers who did something till the Gestapo showed up and then they watched.
Amber
November 1, 2011 at 3:41 pm
I also do not care about the sexual orientation of the officer, do you write heterosexual officer before the names of the other law enforcement personnel? Of course the judge sided with law enforcement, don’t they always? Hopefully this man will lose his badge and be relegated to an office job IF allowed to remain on the police force, and hopefully away from the canine unit. What a disaster he is as a representative of Washington DC and law enforcement and just general human being. He sucks.
Amber
November 1, 2011 at 3:42 pm
And one other thing, since when does a responsible pet owner think it’s okay for her dog to approach a bulldog. What a complete idiot.
Neutral
November 2, 2011 at 11:01 pm
Too many dog lovers in here. Myself included.
As the article tries to appeal to the gay community, so too does the report+story appeal to pitbull/dog lovers. Many are saying that pitbulls are generalized to all be vicious by the media. Ironic then, that your argument that this single pitbull is gentle is based on your own generalization that all pitbulls are gentle. Take a step back and look at the hypocrisy.
If this had happened to say, someone’s pet tarantula, or snake, or lizard, you can be sure that this story wouldn’t have gotten the same attention. But it’s a cute dog, and therefore this is newsworthy.
All i see is a cop coming to a scene, a dog, and blood. I don’t know how to judge him, and that’s how it should remain. Unless you were there, you’re missing big chunks of the picture. You cannot possibly know who is lying. Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Or is that only reserved for when we feel like it?
Josh
November 2, 2011 at 11:50 pm
First of all who the f*** cares if they’re gay or not? Second of all, it is very challenging to tell which story is accurate. However, I must say from experience that I know how chaotic scenes can become for a police officer. I can’t imaging Officer Fike shooting the dog unless he felt it was absolutely necessary.
Katie
November 4, 2011 at 4:48 pm
This whole situation is just dumb. While I’m not negating the fact that pit bulls can be aggressive, any breed can have aggression issues. However, when pit bulls are involved, stories do tend to increase in dramatization. And I think this is a classic case of people making the story more dramatic than it actually was because the dog was part pit bull. In this case, it sounded like the pit-mix had a serious case of dog-dog aggression and when the handler tried to interrupt, the dog redirected and bit the hand of the handler (although still in question). Were peoples lives in “danger,” as the article claims, probably not. Should the dog have been euthanized? Yes. I do not consider this dog to be an adoptable dog. However, the manner in which the officer dealt with the situation was very unnecessary. The way it comes off- was the officer took frustration out on the dog. I think his mental capacity to be an officer should be analyzed. I don’t think I want someone like him to have authority, be it over a human being or animal.
Ian
November 4, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Yeah, the fact that Fike is gay is not material to the case at hand; he just exercised really really poor judgement. He had the dod subdued and the situation was under control. As for the police finding that everything he did was within protocol- well, have you ever heard of the Blue Wall? Of course they rally to his aid.
The police dept is a gun culture- these guys get off on violence and aggression until that changes people will look at stuff like this and think “man, I hate cops.”
Michael B
November 4, 2011 at 9:53 pm
Any clue why the DA declined to prosecute when two police investigations recommended doing so?
marty
November 9, 2011 at 2:37 pm
What does ‘Gay cop” have to do with anything? Just another example of too many people sensationalizing a sad situation. You all need to get a life, and stop ruining other peoples lives.Officer Fike did his job. I commend him.
Nanette Valencia
April 5, 2013 at 6:26 am
You’re the one who needs to get a life, Marty. Too bad you don’t have compassion for an animal who didn’t deserve to die violently by a trigger happy cop.
Rachel Williams
November 10, 2011 at 9:33 am
Does anyone know of a link or an article that follows up with this story? I know from other articles I have read that the officer was on leave until an investigation was completed, but this happened in 2010 and I would love to know what the consequences to Officer Fike’s actions were.
This is so sad & I find it intrinquing that he felt it was safer to discharge a weapon into a crowded street, than to simply ask Block & Parrot to go home.
What a sad excuse for a “public safety official”.
Paulette
January 18, 2012 at 6:41 am
I came across this article by chance. I never heard of the case and had been out of the country at the time of the incident. This is a very disturbing and sad story. It’s unbelievable that no sensible final action was taken against officer Fike by DC courts.
I wonder if there is some kind of animal killing as a “sport” within DCPD, MPD (or whatever their called)? I ask because on Jan 17th 2012 a pedestrian near my home was frightened by two dogs (German Shepherd and the other I believe was a Maltese) meadering on my street. I could not see exactly what happened due to parked cars blocking my view. The woman had hesitated on the sidewalk. I then heard barking and then the woman began screaming and ran onto my neighbor’s porch. I asked her if she was okay and she said she was but claimed that the German Shepherd had bit her. Yet she did not call 911. A lot of school kids were walking around and I felt that the incident needed to be reported – I regret this now.
I called 911 thinking they would contact Animal Services. Almost 2 hours later I return home to find a police officer in front of my home. I had noticed an ambulance around the block from me. The officer was chatting to a man who I later learned was the woman’s husband (the one who claimed the shepherd bit her). The officer asked me some questions and since the shepherd had a collar and I thought a I saw a tag, I inquired if they had located the dog’s owner. The officer was vague and claimed the shepherd was not tagged, alleged he had “observed and followed” the dogs for sometime and then the shepherd attacked two other pedestrians in my neighborhood. I was surprised to hear this because the shepherd and I had made eye contact, in fact, the shepherd had stopped and gazed at me but did absolutely nothing aggressive. Another neighbor had been standing a few feet away and he made no move towards her, nor did he bark at either of us.
Then the officer said the most disgusting thing, “You don’t need to worry about that dog anymore; that dog is dead.” He said this while smiling and softly giggling. I asked how and he proudly told me that he shot the dog. And when another neighbor asked about the Maltese the officer kept repeating, “Oh he’s just a little dog…..the white dog is a little thing.” But you know from what I saw the Maltese was equally aggressive and was barking and snapping and seemed to be exciting the Shepherd.
Anyway, the entire situation is just vile. I am sorry if the woman I first encountered had been bitten but she had said she was okay and did not immediately call 911 – that was my mistake. And I find it very strange that Animal Control had not been called to the scene. The shepherd was a beautiful dog. I was raised with German Shepherds and have never seen them act aggressively unless provoked.
And this will haunt me…….why had the woman stopped on the sidewalk while the dogs were walking towards her? Why hadn’t she simply continued on to her destination? I could not see what she was doing, nor the actions of the dogs due the parked cars – but I cannot help but think she stopped on the sidewalk and did something to try and make the dogs submit to her and neither dog liked her attitude. Another aspect of this story which haunts me is that the officer claimed that the shepherd was NOT tagged when I could swear I clearly saw a tag and heard the tag tinkling against his collar as he walked.
I’ll never know exactly what happened between the woman and the dogs and especially what really transpired once the officer came along. But I do think that all living things, even two legged criminals or aggressive 4-legged creatures, if killed by an officer, should be treated with respect. It is very creepy to be next to a cop, who is smiling and giggling when relaying the fact that he just killed “man’s best friend”. Gay or straight, serial killers and psychopaths are well known to enjoy killing animals.
Matt
February 2, 2012 at 7:10 pm
I think that fact hes a fag does make a difference, He does not want society to profile or discriminate against him like I have just done, But its OK for him go do it with such hatred and violence against this dog it is unreal.
I have a shirt that says “my dog would die for me and I will die for my dog, Any Questions “
kevin
April 17, 2012 at 1:07 pm
this cop is a piece of shit!!!! period!!!!
i wish him a life plagued with misery and heart ache, disease, abondonment, lonlieness, dispair,and a lonely death, when his time of passing comes…whenever.
i wish him poverty, in his life.
ill health.
and extreme lonlieness, forever!!!!
he is a waste of flesh and blood!!!
Kitty
August 6, 2012 at 7:22 pm
Of course the dog is gonna wanna attack the damned cop. He fucking threw him down the stairs for no good reason. He had the dog pinned. Why the hell did he need to throw the dog down the stairs? And no, being gay has nothing to do with this.
Marino396
August 7, 2012 at 6:17 pm
This really is a disgusting story, what a coward cop! So let’s just try this on as a thought, you grab a dog, pin it down painfully, then hurl it down into concrete corridor Hmmmm, oh yeah I forgot, then you shoot it! People if you love then you will run away from any cop who wants to grab your dog unless you want to see your dog killed, I know one day I will be killed by a cop if he messes with my dog, I try to walk my dogs as secretively as I can, and stay closet to home! I don’t want any help from cops like this. Rest in Peace PARROT, you felt love and care, too bad you had to meet a dog lover like officer Fike.
Kathy Huish
November 18, 2012 at 4:25 pm
I don't care if theyre gay, straight, or hermaphrodites, someone needs to rid that dept of that cop and SANDERS for trying to cover it up. An 'animal lover' would NEVER do the things he did, never.
Brooke Andrews
November 18, 2012 at 4:41 pm
No pet lover would ever do this… I hope they fire his ass
Donna Wolstenholme
February 10, 2013 at 9:37 am
And the rest of him too!
Sada Swirl
May 4, 2013 at 1:08 am
he won't, the cops protect their own. serve and protect its absolute bs
Michael Gwyn
November 18, 2012 at 4:45 pm
false, if he thought he was doing the right thing as a cop an animal lover could very well do this.
Clint Lenard
January 19, 2013 at 9:35 pm
False, no animal lover would ever do this. Watch the video and don't be a fool.
Patsy Goh
January 20, 2013 at 4:05 am
You must be a cop, Micheal Gwyn?
Donna Wolstenholme
February 10, 2013 at 9:42 am
To handle a dog in this way is disgusting. He could in no way imagine he was 'doing the right thing'. no animal lover would use such methods, it is sadism, if he behaves this way to an animal just think how he will behave towards a human who does not do as he wants. I agree with Patsy, you must be a cop.
Sada Swirl
May 4, 2013 at 1:11 am
gwyn u have to be an animal lover to speak for animal lovers. No animal lover would say that. if the spineless tough guy was going to execute, or MURDER, the dog anyways, why did he need to throw it down a stair well. sadistic.
mike
November 29, 2012 at 7:34 am
im confused. is the dog cop also gay? if so, what does that have to do with the story?
Jessica L Knarr
January 20, 2013 at 6:40 am
blah blah blah that piece of shit murdered an innocent dog! who are we going to believe a crooked cop and his fellow crooked officers, or the dozens of people who saw what really happened! I will always take eye witness accounts over a crooked cops version any day! To Scott Fike, you are a worthless piece of shit! I wouldn't spit on you if you were on fire! I'd roast mash-mellows over your corpse and feed them to my dog!
Julia Miller
January 24, 2013 at 5:35 am
I was with whole heartedly until the marshmellows & corpse
Lori Culver Meitzen
January 20, 2013 at 7:42 am
NO WAY is this trigger happy cop a "animal lover"….NO WAY! Cops are more crooked than actual offenders and lie to cover their own ass! This was a senseless act of AUTHORITY and BRUTALITY! Mr. Macho Cop needs to be removed from the force AND be ordered to make a HEFTY financial contribution to animal rescues!
Christopher F Cheney
January 20, 2013 at 11:35 am
The report is a bs lie dogs cannot lock there jaws.
Donna Wolstenholme
January 21, 2013 at 11:01 am
Does not matter if the cop is gay or not – why is that even on here? What matters is that he is clearly a sick power mad sadist. His actions were uncalled for. Dogs fight sometimes, both were on leads and no lasting damage done. This does not mean the dog was about to attack people, he knows the difference between a dog and person, the handler clearly regained control. The officer had no need to intervene and should be punished for what he did, no doubt he won't be. Lets hope he gets his just punishment in another way, maybe a real savage dog will get him, then he'll know the difference. He obviously is not an animal lover and does not know anything about dogs except that they have 4 legs and a tail!
Elmer Button
January 22, 2013 at 12:10 am
I was wondering the same thing when I read that, Donna…gay owner..gay cop…what the hell does that have to do with what happened?
Bethany McFarlin- Cook
February 10, 2013 at 6:49 am
This report was very poorly done.
1) Dogs cannot lock their jaws, even pit bulls. That is a myth.
2) Why is it important to know the sexual orientation of the people involved? The story is about a dog that was shot by a police officer.
Really. This is just bad journalism.
Helgaguillen Ramos
February 10, 2013 at 8:42 am
Police officers enjoy the torture murder of dogs, oficer Fike tortured the poor dog before killing him, officer Fike drove his knee into the middle of Parrot's back while streching Parrot's legs behind him. Fike grabbed Parrot, lifted him off the ground and brought him to the top of the concrete staircase. Officer Fike them trew Parrot over the banister , down twelwe steps, and onto the concrete floor. Then, Fike stood at the top of the stairs, and shot Parrot to death. Shame on them. He should be charge with animal cruelty. Shame on Fike, and this sicko is assigned to the canine unit and take home each nigh one of the unit German Shepherds. Poor German shepherd with a handler that is without compassion, cruel, barbaric and tortured a dog before killing him.
Chrissy Lawrence Trombly
February 12, 2013 at 3:36 am
What a disgrace to the police force to have such a weak individual in their ranks! What a weak man, getting your kicks off of something like this! Glad he is not protecting my streets'
Chrissy Lawrence Trombly
February 12, 2013 at 3:59 am
Not sure what being gay has to do with this though?!
David Hyde
February 12, 2013 at 2:08 pm
For the most part cops are pussies and bullies. I would rather trust a criminal than a cop. At least I expect the criminal to stab me in the back.
Shenandoah Pitcher Veele
February 12, 2013 at 3:23 pm
Typical Cop lying to save his skin. Wanting to look like a tough guy, which is why he became a cop.
EP
March 4, 2013 at 1:37 pm
Only reason FIKE is in K-9 is because he is gay. He was in Patrol for like a year and then had some issues at his district and to make it “go away” he was asked where he would like to go and got K-(
Jenna Heeder
April 3, 2013 at 2:06 am
dogs are HELPLESS. I cannot believe that he can get away with such a horrible thing.
Cassidy Danielle Koranek
April 3, 2013 at 6:07 am
Fucking DISGUSTING PIG. Poor defenseless dog.
Mel Turco
April 3, 2013 at 6:06 am
>>Sanders said witnesses, including a local judge whom he did not identify, have come forward to support Fike’s version.
FYI… the “judge” was a personal friend of officer Fike, and was the person who recommended his attorney to him. This was not an impartial judge or witness. Know that.
Amber Michele
April 3, 2013 at 4:34 pm
wow. Total Over Reaction. Believe It Or Not, owners Can Control Their Pets And 99% Of Them Are Harmless
Amber Michele
April 3, 2013 at 4:34 pm
wow. Total Over Reaction. Believe It Or Not, owners Can Control Their Pets And 99% Of Them Are Harmless
Donna Horton
April 3, 2013 at 5:58 pm
Scott Fike I hope you rot in helll….you coward.
Mark Messier
April 3, 2013 at 11:53 pm
Hope he get's aid's and dies a slow torturous death!!!
Sherry Mitchell
April 3, 2013 at 6:29 pm
LOL defenseless dog…seriously….pitbulls bite is 235 PSI. Less than a german shepherd and a lot less than a rott…so defenseless, I think not…we weren't there, so we don't really know what happened. I feel bad for the dog, I love animals but to automatically assume that the cop is in the wrong isn't right either.
Lynette Phillips McClure
April 3, 2013 at 6:43 pm
First of all, what does gay have to do with anything here? Second of all, the dog attacked another dog and bit two officers, the rest is unclear. Finally, my husband being a cop and all, I get tired of all the police bashing that results from these stories. Next time someone who hates cops needs help, maybe they should call a crackhead.
Sherry Mitchell
April 3, 2013 at 6:48 pm
I had wondered the same thing about the " tag" he was given. Maybe so people couldnt say he was anti gay and thats why he killed a gay mans dog….who knows. This is one of the fairest articles Ive read in a long time, where both sides were given.
Sherry Mitchell
April 3, 2013 at 6:51 pm
LOL Lynette I think we missed the fact that this is Americas top gay news source LOL I guess thats why it matters
Cassidy Danielle Koranek
April 3, 2013 at 7:59 pm
Are you kidding right now? There are tons of dogs that bite, regardless of breed. Do not try to argue that ignorant pitbulls are always agressive shit. I know a bunch of pitbulls that have been abused and are PAINFULLY shy and sweet. I also know plenty of yorkies, pomeranians and poodles that are assholes and would bite you in your face. It's all subjective. You're ignorant. That's racism among dogs. We don't want that shit in society against humanity do we? We discriminate against breeds of dogs then? It's all in how the dog is raised. Not all cops are bad, not all gay people are animal hating cops. There are exceptions in all cases of course. It's just about what this person did was very very wrong. Man triumphs over beast because he is stronger. Therefore, rendering a dog a defenseless animal inferior to a human being and their WEAPONS.
Nanette Valencia
April 5, 2013 at 6:19 am
I’ve read enough to form an opinion without having to have been there. The cop overreacted and caused the situation to escalate. And, yes, a dog is defenseless against someone with a gun. If he wasn’t, how was the cop able to overpower him the way he did and throw him down a flight of stairs? The cop reacted in anger because he was bit. He was a bully and to shoot the dog in a crowd like that where children were likely present was irresponsible.
Michael Mulvihill
April 5, 2013 at 7:24 pm
Lynette – who needs the cops? If we could freely exercise our 2A we would be free to police ourselves as we should. Cops are not hired to "Serve and Protect". They show up after a crime is committed, process crime scenes and assist the DA in assembling a case to take to trial. Most of the time they are shown in a light such as this because they think they are Matt Dillon. Too bad we can't have a show down with them – one at a time. Nope, they are the muscle of organized crime and make bad public appearances.
Dave Price
April 3, 2013 at 6:33 pm
maybe we should consider shooting officer Fike, better yet he doesn't deserve that title, heck throw him down a stairwell and then shoot him. Better yet lets drive him into the pavement first.
Dave Price
April 3, 2013 at 6:33 pm
douche bag
David Wood
April 3, 2013 at 6:53 pm
Hey Sanders, you asshole, read the police report. Here is a direct quote from the report "Injury Code: A= Abrasion"…report continue "scratching to hand and wrist". But yet, Officer Fike refused medical treatment, and injury status is "N/A". Sounds like a bunch of bullshit to me.
David Wood
April 3, 2013 at 6:54 pm
url to police report filed by Fike: http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/documents/dog_shot_police_report_09132010.pdf.
David Wood
April 3, 2013 at 6:57 pm
And to Lynette; no disrespect to cops; we aren't all bad, and EVERYONE knows that; but ask your husband, there are a lot of people that shouldn't even have a shield that do. But, based on FACTS, it seems Fike is guilty as charged; especially with corroborating witness testimony.
Suzi Fleming Leeman
April 3, 2013 at 7:14 pm
Fike is a pansy coward (and i am NOT teferring to the fact that he is gay, but rather that he has no backbone). It makes me SICK that officials are backing Fije, when they werent there, and when witnesses to the incident, back the young man fostering Parrot. DISGUSTING. From the sounds of it, I'd say Fike Might want to watch himself and wear a bullet proof vest while out in public JERK!!
I am NOT a supporter, per se, of pit bulls, but it was obvious from the witness accounts AND the rescue group, that Parrit was a good, gentle dog. Poodles can actually be MORE vicious than a large dog!! They will bite & snarl & snap out of fear, and that poodle could very well have been the instigator of the fight. Dont judge.
Mary Fleming Johnston
April 3, 2013 at 8:06 pm
So sad – the dog is the victim. I don't understand why people bring their dogs to close quarters celebrations. I witnessed 2 dogs go at it a Crawfish Festival. Leave them home when it is wall to wall people!! It is NOT the dogs fault. P.S. – my son's pit bull – Dana – is a total marshmallow….love her to pieces!
Joe Schairer
April 3, 2013 at 9:44 pm
did any of you guys actually read this article? its more descriptive than any of the other articles Ive read, citing legitimate public records and character references and calls into question the legitimacy of the claims of the people who have witnessed the event. read the article people. heres some videos to watch for the girl that said %99 percent of these dogs are harmless http://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs-pit-bull-attack-videos.php.
Virginia Ann Gilson Myrum
April 4, 2013 at 6:16 pm
…What? What are you referring people to a completely irrelevant video for?
Wonder Pvrish
April 4, 2013 at 1:55 pm
I wish he would of bite his lil gay ass.
Dionicia Quinata
April 5, 2013 at 4:25 am
What do their sexual orientation have to do with any of this?
Janay Altovise
April 5, 2013 at 4:36 am
I was just about to say…..
Nanette Valencia
April 5, 2013 at 9:58 am
Because it's being reported in The Blade
Dionicia Quinata
April 5, 2013 at 6:27 pm
Thank you. I didn't know about The Blade. Iwas just searching for the article for parrot. Now it all makes sense. Thanks.
Brian Trewin
April 5, 2013 at 1:42 pm
Why does it matter if he's gay? this is piece of s hit news team using 'gay' to sell there stories.
Michael Mulvihill
April 5, 2013 at 7:17 pm
Two years ago, folks.
Graeme Cooper
April 6, 2013 at 2:20 am
Might Parrot not have rushed Officer Fike had he not thrown him into a stairwell? Hope you burn Fike.
Jay Hollinger
April 8, 2013 at 3:28 am
After doing much research and reading about this incident, it sounds to me like the actions of the officer were justified. Big crowd of people, an overly aggressive dog, blood, another dog badly injured, the pit bull continued to try and bite the officer. The officer's first responsiblity is to protect the people. If that dog would have gotten loose and mauled some child then you people would be screaming that he should have shot the dog. Good job Officer Fike.
Robert
April 12, 2013 at 6:07 pm
As stated in the story all fellow Police offers a Judge and his department all back up his bullshit story, Pigs stick with pigs, no department will ever admit to wrong doing unless the evidence is clean cut, Police departments don’t like it when they get caught with their pants down. There are some really good cops out there but sadly most of them are just plain old scum.
Sada Swirl
May 4, 2013 at 1:08 am
if he was going to execute the dog why was throwing it down the stairs necessary. typical, cops protecting their own.
Krystal Mae D
April 1, 2017 at 4:18 pm
What ever came of this sad story? Was the officer ever charged for animal cruilty or removed from the canine unit?