disabled Navy vet's rehab dog shot: WTF?
 

WTF is wrong with people? Apologies if this is a repost -- I know it's kind of old news -- but a quick search didn't reveal any relevant threads.

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=6753738

HUNTSVILLE, TX (KTRK) -- A war hero's therapy dog was shot and killed. After the Navy SEAL found his dog injured, he used his skills to track down the two men he saw do it. It's a case that has sparked nationwide attention.

Marcus Luttrell found his dog lying in a ditch. She'd been shot in the left shoulder. Calls continue to come into the Walker County Sheriff's office from around the country -- total strangers are expressing their disgust and outrage over what happened, as well as concern for Luttrell who has already lost so much.

At McKenzie's Barbecue in Huntsville, a local war hero's heartache is all the lunchtime crowd can talk about.

"I'd hate to say it, but if I were in the position he was in, I would have shot them or shot at them," admitted lunch patron Ralph Lawson.

Last week, former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, the lone survivor of a fierce fight in Afghanistan, found himself at war with a different kind of enemy -- a group of men he says shot and killed his beloved dog. She was a white Labrador named DASY -- an acronym for the SEAL team members he lost in battle.

"Some people think dogs are dogs," said Luttrell. "This was my rehab dog that I got after I got shot up in Afghanistan. It's not just a dog. To me it's like my daughter."

Luttrell got in his truck and chased the vehicle and its four occupants more than 20 miles through three countie, driving at speeds over 100 miles an hour before making a citizen's arrest near Onalaska. He stayed on the line with a 911 operator the entire time.

911 operator: "Are you chasing them because they shot your dog?"
Luttrell: "Yeah, that's right."
Operator: "Do you know who these people are?"
Luttrell: "I have no idea."

Two of the men in that car -- Michael Edmonds and Alfonzo Hernandez -- have been charged with cruelty and torture to a non-livestock animal. Investigators tell us they are suspects in at least three other similar cases.

The senseless killing of this war hero's dog is drawing nationwide attention. Luttrell says while he's touched by all the support, all he wants is justice.

"I want them prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," he said. "I mean, they murdered my dog. That's a member of my family. That's murder."

Both suspects have bonded out of jail. Detectives with the Walker County Sheriff's office will eventually present the findings of their investigation to the Walker County District Attorney's office, who in turn, will present this case to a grand jury.

Luttrell received his dog from America's Vet Dogs, a group that provides service and guide dogs to members of the military. The dog services are provided at no cost to veterans. Earlier this year, a service dog was taken to Iraq to live with military members there to help reduce stress.

wtf indeed. I bet it took some restraint for that SEAL not to kill those two with his bare hands.

Too bad we had him trained to show restraint. Wish he had killed them and claimed PTSD or some other stupid crap.

While I don't agree with the animal/human life trade-off, but I certainly could go along with the idea that all four occupants should have been charged...even being in the vehicle and riding along is guilt enough...then they should remain in jail 'til the trial because...

...they used a weapon to kill the animal...

That alone should keep anyone involved behind bars...then send them to court and televise the whole trial.

Let PETA show up and sit in the front row right behind the defendants.

Let a couple of school classes of 1st and 2nd graders into the courtroom observers' area and teach the kids what happens to people that mistreat animals.

If and when the jury comes back and pronounces the nimrods guilty...Ex-SEAL Luttrell should be allowed to shoot each defendent in one of their knees...reminding them it could have been worse and it should have been.

Then each defendant should be jailed for at least 10 years, full term, no time-off for good behavior and when they're released, forbidden from ever owning anything greater than a spit-ball shooter...and if they're caught with anything...jailed for life...

No recourse or excuses.

You don't want to ever see me in a Judge's robe... :mad:

They left out the good part where the 911 operator asks him how fast they are going and he says, as calm as can be, about 110. Then he kept telling them they need to get someone out there before he gets ahold (kills) of them.

After chasing them for 40 miles at speeds which would have called out the black helicopters on LA freeways, the TX police were basically like oh you are a SEAL and they killed your dog, ok, we'll arrest them.

People should read his book.

I intend to... I have heard many recommendations.

yep.........

Both are out on bail (for thoose who did not view the clip)

I would exect that, since their names and faces are public, there will be some violent acts committed against them, their property, or anyone who sticks up for them.


~Nate

sounds reasonable.....

Oh dear. I would so hate for something like that to happen. Why, if I saw something bad happen to them, I would most surely call the police and bear witness to the act. And if you believe that......