To the editor: PETA joins Burbank police in mourning Ok-9 Spike, who was shot by an armed suspect (“Police Ok-9, suspect killed after standoff with Burbank police,” Nov. 22). In contrast to human officers who select to serve, Spike had no say in risking his life. Police canines are loyal and desirous to please their handlers, however they can not consent to being within the line of fireplace in violent confrontations.
Sadly, Spike’s loss of life is just not an anomaly. Simply this 12 months, Ok-9 Oya in St. Louis County, Mo., was killed whereas pursuing two harmful suspects. Ok-9 Insurgent died within the crossfire as police in Albuquerque, N.M., tried to apprehend a recognized felony. Ok-9 Azi fell sufferer to an “trade of gunfire” in McKinney, Texas. And people are just a few current examples.
Companies throughout the nation, together with the Massachusetts State Police and Connecticut’s Enfield Police Division, are efficiently deploying robotic Ok-9s to deal with hazardous conditions. It’s time for all departments to undertake this know-how to save lots of animal and human lives.
Allison Fandl, Norfolk, Va.
This author is supervisor of particular initiatives at PETA.
