[Al_HikesAZ]

This will get people thinking twice about letting their dogs off-leash
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/01/30/MN921N0LQT.DTL

A Montara man walking two lapdogs off leash was hit with an electric-shock gun by a National Park Service ranger after allegedly giving a false name and trying to walk away, authorities said Monday.

Maybe because they were lap dogs?

Rancho Corral de Tierra has long been an off-leash walking spot for local dog owners. In December, the area became part of the national park system, which requires that all dogs be on a leash, Levitt said.

The ranger was trying to educate residents of the rule, Levitt said.

A few more educations like this and they should start getting the message.

[WilliamnWendi]

Wow! ,glad I am a cat person.

[chumley]

I read this earlier today. Correction: Despite the headline, the owner was not tasered for having his dogs off leash. He was tasered after ignoring the commands of a federal law enforcement official.

As somebody who occasionally walks my dog without a leash, if a law officer confronts me about it, and I choose to ignore him/her and walk away, I'd expect to be tased too. It's not for me to decide WHY a law enforcement officer wishes to question me (maybe I'm not carrying my proof-of-citizenship?) but I can challenge it in court later. If people suddenly decide that ignoring the guy with authority is ok, problems only get bigger from there.

[Tough_Boots]

so a park ranger used a weapon on a non-aggressive man? There have been enough deaths and medical complications due to Tasers that this act is obviously irresponsible. Assaulting someone for having two little lapdogs off-leash is ridiculous.

[Outdoor Lover]

There is a "Use of Force" code that Law Enforcement has to abide by and this Ranger will probably be severely reprimanded in this case. This would be considered Excessive Use of Force. The only reason that the individual was "arrested" was to cover the National Park Service's butt. I could say alot more, but I won't....I have a job to do....

[chumley]

So if this individual was driving and the officer turned on the lights to his cruiser, it would be fine if he just ignored it and drove away? Unlike a vehicle police chase, the only person put at risk by pursuing the suspect is the suspect himself. I'm glad he got tased and I'm glad it made the news. Respect authority even when you disagree with it. This isn't the soviet union (yet). You have legal rights and recourse. Even in the people's republic of California.

[WilliamnWendi]

It is only abuse of force if the suspect is complying. A suspect in any encounter has thousand different stories, some good, some not so good, the officer does not know any of that especially when the suspect is lying about their names. The story says the ranger was educating people about the new changes, not handing out tickets. So it is correct to say this was no big deal! Then why lie about who you are and walk away. For everyone's safety it was her responsibility to follow through. The witnesses could be understating the suspects reactions, were they also out with off leash dogs. Lots of questions, I'll wait for the investigation to be completed before assuming the officer was out of line.

[Outdoor Lover]

There are different levels of "Law Enforcement". I have just one last thing to say, because this topic is too close to home and I just can't comment. But, if I had tased a Dog Owner that walked away from me, I would be standing in the unemployment line and I am considered Law Enforcement. I'm just not Post Certified.

[chumley]

I'm sure different agencies have different "rules of engagement". But I don't mess with the Feds. Even a park ranger. As was posted above, as soon as somebody chooses to ignore the command of a LEO and begins to walk away, I think one has to assume the worst. Why else would somebody flee? Violent criminal? Drug dealer? Who knows?

I've had cops show up at my neighbor's house with guns drawn. Not because there was anybody dangerous in the house, but because they thought there might be somebody there that they didn't know anything about. Turned out to be an innocent relative. But I guarantee you they'll come out with guns drawn in the same situation again.

Law enforcement must deal with unpredictable people in dangerous situations. It is certainly possible that the reaction of the SF officer was not according to the protocol in her office. None of us knows that yet. But when somebody isn't complying and begins to flee, they escalate a placid situation into one of significant concern.

I choose to respect first responders and have little sympathy for those who don't. Their job is extremely difficult and dangerous without me making it worse.

[Outdoor Lover]

It is only abuse of force if the suspect is complying. The story says the ranger was educating people about the new changes, not handing out tickets. Lots of questions, I'll wait for the investigation to be completed before assuming the officer was out of line.

You're right, lots of questions. But, I disagree with the abuse of force statement. A Taser is meant to be used as a non-lethal means of Self Defense and that applies to Officers as well. It is not meant and is not dictated as a means to detain. A Tazer, Pepper Spray, etc. etc. is meant to be used if the Officer feels threatened or feels that a threat to Public Safety is imminent. But nothing states whether or not the Dog was threatening hikers. And if the Officer was only Educating, then she had no right to try and detain him anyway....He was leaving.....

[Tough_Boots]

I would like to know if the "offender" was told to stay put or told they were under arrest originally. Were they put under arrest before or after the tazing? And how did the ranger originally "pursue" him? Those would solve the issue. I hope the ranger gets fired either way. Tazing someone who isn't being violent is ridiculous.

Respect authority even when you disagree with it. This isn't the soviet union (yet).

hmmm... wouldn't we still be under British rule with that kind of logic? What are you... some kind of socialized healthcare loving Redcoat?

[chumley]

The Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic symbol of America and has previously been listed as a possible target for terrorist activity. I wouldn't be too surprised to know that the Federal agency that patrols the park and areas around the bridge have a very low-tolerance for people who act suspiciously. There are a lot of factors that may make this situation different than it might appear. There might even be some information that we don't have ! Unfortunately, we probably can't count on the media to report it completely or accurately.

[chumley]

hmmm... wouldn't we still be under British rule with that kind of logic? What are you... some kind of socialized healthcare loving Redcoat?

Maybe! I do really enjoy English football (soccer).

[PLC92084]

I've had cops show up at my neighbor's house with guns drawn.

I was the neighbor, once... Had a helicopter circling overhead and the local SWAT team deployed in front and behind my house. When I went out to check out the commotion, I was hit with a spot light and an amplified voice telling to put my hands on my head, turn around and walk backwards towards the light... I did.

Turns out it was a mistake but one doesn't argue with gun-toting LEO's...

[azbackpackr]

Ah, life in sunny Southern California!

[hippiepunkpirate]

Ah, life in sunny Southern California!

Liz! I thought you were more geographically inclined than this! Golden Gate Recreation Area is about as close to Southern California as Springerville is to Northern Arizona!

[Outdoor Lover]

@hippiepunkpirate
I think she was replying to Mr. San Diego's post...

[hippiepunkpirate]

@Outdoor Lover

Damn! Just when I thought I had gotten a good one in....

[azbackpackr]

@Outdoor Lover

pumpkin! Just when I thought I had gotten a good one in....

What I really wanted to ask Paul about was about his relationship to dogs vis-à-vis (spicy) cats?

[PLC92084]

@azbackpackr
Like I told the cops when they visited... No comment