Dead Dogs Don't Bark

(Galesburg, IL) This story is from a recent press release.

Detective Carlson parked in the driveway of 1400 Lindsey Lane and exited his vehicle and began walking towards the door of the residence when his attention was drawn directly across the street to the sound of a barking dog. The dog was a large Pit Bull. The dog had emerged between a pine tree and 1401 Lindsey Lane and was running and barking towards Carlson. When the dog got to within 5 feet of Carlson, he was sure he was about to be bitten so Carlson turned so that his backside would be towards the dog. The dog then bit several times at the back of Carlson�s legs and then made contact with the back part of Carlson�s right knee, puncturing the skin. The dog then ran towards the street and charged at Carlson again. Detective Carlson then drew his service weapon, a Glock model 22, and began to talk calmly to the dog. The dog then approached the front of Carlson, and then ran back across the street. Carlson immediately called 911 from his cell phone and requested assistance from an animal control officer. A red pickup truck drove by and the dog ran after the truck, barking all the while. Carlson attempted to walk to the front door of 1400 Lindsey Lane and the dog focused his attention to Carlson and charged at him again. Carlson stood there in the front yard and took aim at the dog and when the dog was at point blank range Carlson fired one shot into the dog�s head at a downward angle to insure there would be no ricochet. The animal stopped instantly and fell onto his left side.

It seems to me that Detective Nick Carlson exercised appropriate restraint, more than many would.