Chicago police must pay 330k for killing dog in home raid

meanmike58 · Aug 19, 2011

.By Liz Goodwin | The Lookout 2 hrs 19 mins ago.. .

A federal jury says Chicago law enforcement must pay $330,000 to a family after officers shot their dog during a home raid that turned up no illegal activity.

Thomas Russell, then 18, opened the door to his home in February 2009 to find police officers with their guns drawn. He asked if he could lock up his 9-year-old black labrador, named Lady, before letting the officers inside. The Chicago Tribune describes what happened next:

Police refused the request and came into the house, the lawsuit said. When Lady came loping around the corner with her tail wagging, Officer Richard Antonsen shot the dog, according to the suit, which alleged excessive force, false arrest and illegal seizure for taking the dog's life.

The cops handcuffed Russell and his 16-year-old brother, and eventually charged Russell with obstructing their operation. He was found not guilty. According to NBC, the jury awarded $175,000 to Russell, $85,000 to his little brother, and $35,000 each to the brothers' parents. The officer who shot the dog owes $2,000 in damages, and his supervisor owes $1,000, according to NBC.

A law enforcement spokeswoman told the Tribune that the officers were protecting themselves.

dmancornell · Aug 19, 2011

Chicago taxpayers must pay 330k for CPD killing dog in home raid

There, fixed it for ya.

JGRuby · Aug 19, 2011

This is a perfect example of where the cops could have cooperated with the individual but goes overboard. If it had been the other way around the civilian would have gone to prison for killing a police dog. These cops need to be held to the same level-no instead they kills a family member of 9 years, the tax payers get charged another 300K because frankly when the police officer screws up it is the tax payer that gets the bill. These police officers need to go to jail. Again we see how supposedly our finest are getting the publicity they deserve. This just gives us less reason to trust the men in blue each day. Antonsen needs to go to prison at the least.

James Ruby

Father of four · Aug 19, 2011

JGRuby said:
This is a perfect example of where the cops could have cooperated with the individual but goes overboard. If it had been the other way around the civilian would have gone to prison for killing a police dog. These cops need to be held to the same level-no instead they kills a family member of 9 years, the tax payers get charged another 300K because frankly when the police officer screws up it is the tax payer that gets the bill. These police officers need to go to jail. Again we see how supposedly our finest are getting the publicity they deserve. This just gives us less reason to trust the men in blue each day. Antonsen needs to go to prison at the least.

James Ruby

Prison for at least 5 years -without the possibility of parole!

"the jury awarded $175,000" GOOD FOR THEM!!!! Way to go Citizens!!!!!!!!!!!!!