FILER -- The Filer Police
Department released the formal investigation by the Nampa Police Department
regarding an incident in Filer, in which an officer shot and killed a dog.
The city of Filer requested
that the Nampa Police Department do an independent internal investigation into
the situation.
We contacted the Filer Police
Chief for reaction to the report, but he was not available.
RESULTS OF INVESTIGATION
In the 12 page report, Sgt. Tim
Randall with the Nampa Police reviews in-car video from Officer Tarek Hassani's
patrol car, and interviews those involved with the call on February 8th.
In the report, Randall says the
officer's interest of safety could provide sound justification for shooting the
dog, but adds, "the argument is less convincing given the fact that the
officer had prior information that the dogs might be aggressive and his failure
to develop or consider any realistic non-lethal plan for dealing with the dogs
was not reasonable."
The report says at the time of
the shooting officer Hassani feared for his safety, providing justification for
shooting the dog.
But it also criticized the
officer's actions during the incident.
In the report, Randall
questions why Hassani didn't simply stay in his car, call the dogs owner, or
call for back up.
It says Hassani stated he
"did not consider that" saying it was his job to respond to the dogs
at large call.
Randall also asked why Hassani
didn't use a taser, a catch pole, or a baton, all of which the officer had that
day.
Officer Hassani said he was
"taught not to use a taser on a dog" and was concerned for his
safety.
The report also mentions a
previous incident where Officer Hassani was bitten by a dog.
DOG OWNER'S RESPONSE
Rick Clubb has admitted all
along that his dogs were at large that day, and he also admits it was not the
first time neighbors complained about his dogs.
However, Clubb maintains that
his dogs never acted aggressively, and his 7-year-old black lab, Hooch, should
not have been shot.
"That's all he was doing
here was protecting his property, where he shot him at was right there and he
died right there by the tree," said Clubb.
We showed Clubb the report on
Tuesday, and he said he was disappointed, but not surprised.
"He didn't have to shoot
him right in our neighborhood with kids running around, birthday party, that's
just ridiculous, that's a trigger happy cop," said Clubb.
Clubb says he will keep pushing
to get Officer Hassani fired, and is planning to file a lawsuit against the
Filer Police Department.
"Oh yeah, most definitely
disappointed, but we're not going to stop here, there's no way we will stop
here," said Clubb.
WHAT'S NEXT
Filer Mayor Rick Dunn tells us
Officer Hassani is still on paid administrative leave as the city council
considers his future.
There will be a chance for the
public to voice their opinion on this case to the Filer city council and Mayor
at an open forum, Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.
Mayor Dunn says each person
will have two minutes to give their opinion on the case.
Dunn tells us the city council
reviewed the report in an executive session Monday night, but wants to hear
from the public as well.