HEYBURN, Idaho — A shocking video has sparked controversy and conversation about the Heyburn Police Department following a confrontation between officers and two loose dogs on I-84.
The video, which was circulated on social media, shows bystanders cursing and yelling at an officer as he shoots and hits one of the dogs while another lies dead on the road.
A press release from the Heyburn Police Department explains that "the dogs were uncooperative" and "not in range to use a taser". The release continues, explaining that the heavy Memorial Day traffic made road conditions especially unsafe, and that officers felt their decision to take lethal action was the safest for families driving during the holiday weekend.
Though the officers did not employ tactics that Animal Control would use, CEO of the Idaho Humane Society Jeff Rosenthal says animal disruption can make roadways especially unsafe.
“The most dangerous thing animal control officers deal with is dogs in traffic," said Rosenthal. "It isn’t the dogs that are dangerous. Actually, we have never had a severe injury to one of my officers from a dog, but we worry about traffic the most”
Discussion about the graphic video on social media had a very different tone, with witnesses alleging that bystanders were close to having the dogs in hand and that non-lethal methods could have subdued the animals.
The graphic social media post included images of the dogs before the tragic event and several photos of the bloodstained highway in addition to the video.
The post also includes a copy of the press release from the Heyburn Police Department, highlighting the contrast in the stories both parties are presenting.
Each dog was shot a single time before they were removed from the roadway. This story will be updated as the situation develops.
