A video by News in Columbia, Mo., shows “Teddy” playfully frolicking in a spacious field. Seeing the crisp blue sky with the sun piercing through the pillow clouds I thought, I bet that’s what heaven is like for our pets.
Then I remembered what I was watching.
And just like that, Teddy, who was blind, deaf, tiny, and lost, met a man with a badge who was supposed to protect him. Instead, Officer Myron Woodson of the Sturgeon, Mo., Police Department appeared to grow increasingly frustrated and tired — due to his ineptness using a simple catch-pole — and fired a bullet into Teddy’s body.
Teddy jumped and another bullet was fired, killing the special-needs dog.
I paid close attention to how Officer Woodson handled Teddy’s body. Would he handle him gently and show any semblance of remorse?
People are also reading…
I wasn’t surprised when he picked his victim up by the tail and proceeded to throw him in his dirty black bin. Like Teddy was filthy trash.
According to and other national () media, the shooting, in May, has resulted in a lawsuit and the resignation of the mayor of Sturgeon, about 145 miles west of St. Louis.
Officer Woodson didn’t just take the life of a seemingly carefree and sweet creature. His reckless disregard for Teddy’s life will cause life-long heartache for his family.
Further, the dog-loving people of Sturgeon (population 900) will now fear what could happen if their pet gets lost. And what if this officer must respond to a call involving a mentally challenged teenager who doesn’t follow his commands?
Near the end of the video, Woodson is confronted by Teddy’s distraught owner, Nick Hunter. Woodson defends his actions by remarking that the dog could have been suffering — which the video clearly shows he was not. The officer asks Hunter what else he could have done.
Here is your answer, Officer Woodson:
You could have been a hero. You could have driven around with Teddy as your co-pilot trying to find a neighbor who recognized him. Or, since you appeared afraid of a tiny non-aggressive dog, you could have called a supervisor. Or, you could have had someone take Teddy to the vet.
You should have done anything except for what you actually did.
If you did so you would have gone viral for your compassion rather than your cruelty.
According to in Columbia, city officials in Sturgeon initially defended Woodson’s actions. Then (perhaps after the video went viral) they “disciplined” him with paid administrative leave while the incident is investigated. So Woodson is free to go back to his life, compliments of taxpayers.
Other media report that that many Sturgeon residents want Officer Woodson fired, as does Teddy’s mom — Teddy’s dad’s ex-fiancé, Abbey Harnish — who had hoped to attain “full custody” of Teddy someday.
“My dog was brutally murdered by someone who was supposed to protect our community. That’s heartbreaking,” she told .
Teddy’s dad has filed a million-dollar lawsuit against the city of Sturgeon and Officer Woodson. I pray he wins. Doing so would teach all individuals with power over defenseless creatures that they will be held accountable when the public trust is breached in such a violent manner.
There are so many cops who serve with integrity. But Woodson’s actions further the divide between citizens and the police. The good officers in blue who often suffer from low morale don’t deserve this.
The people of Sturgeon can make positive change come from this senseless tragedy through action. Citizens can continue to pressure officials to fire Officer Woodson.
Next, they should demand that the public be permitted to view the newly proposed animal training for officers. And since Teddy is now known worldwide, can we all pitch in a few bucks and have Missourians build a no-kill shelter in Sturgeon called Teddy’s Place?
I have occasionally worked with blind and deaf dogs. They are almost angelic because of their pure faith in human beings for their survival. Once you create that sacred bond, they never forget you.
But, as if compensating for their lack of sight and hearing, they have a keen sense of who not to put their trust in. Teddy knew.