When a white cop shoots an armed black guy, it’s an outrage and chances are the Walmart is getting looted over the “racial injustice.” When a black cop shoots an unarmed dog, it’s much less outrageous and even the Petsmart is safe. In Arkansas a black Sheriff’s deputy shot an 8-pound chihuahua because he apparently feared for his life. No seriously, there’s a video and it makes this thing even more ridiculous.
The reporting on this story is kind of confusing, but I’ve pieced it together using a variety of sources including the video, the news, and a GoFundMe page.
A man identified only as “Doug” took in a chihuahua named Reece’s after some neighbors abandoned it. One day recently, Reece’s was in Doug’s yard barking and a female neighbor pulled a gun and told him to shut the dog up. Doug called 911 to report being threatened by his crazy neighbor, but the responding Sheriff’s deputy treated him like he was the criminal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFcqBrD53Io
In the video, you can see Doug and two small dogs, one of which is Reece’s, talking to a Faulkner County Deputy identified as Keenan Wallace. As Doug tries to explain about being threatened by a neighbor, Wallace tries to get him to come down to the street to talk. Doug refuses and at that point Reece’s went up to the Deputy. Wallace pulled out his gun and fired a shot into the dog’s face.
“Are you f*cking kidding mean?” exclaims Doug.
The chihuahua let out a yelp and ran off. I’ve watched this video several times and I don’t believe this dogs was being aggressive or attacking the Deputy. Even if it was, it’s a f*cking chihuahua and represented absolutely no threat to a full-grown man.
Doug expressed his stunned disbelief that Wallace would, not only shoot this little dog in the face, but also discharge his firearm in close proximity to him for no good reason. Doug tried to get Wallace’s name and badge number, but the Deputy covered up his identifying markings.
Wallace was identified and suspended for this. In a weird twist, it turned out that Wallace was a K-9 handler and should have known the difference between a vicious threatening dog and a harmless little chihuahua.
NEW: I have confirmation from the Faulkner Co Sheriff’s Department that the deputy involved and placed on paid leave is Keenan Wallace, a K-9 handler. (Photo: taken Feb ‘18, courtesy Log Cabin Democrat) #ARNews pic.twitter.com/PnGWnPs3s5
— Shelby Rose (@KATVShelby) January 5, 2019
After careful consideration The Faulkner County Sheriff announced Wallace’s firing on Facebook:
According to a GoFundMe page, Reece’s was taken to the the vet with a gunshot wound to the face and a shatter jaw. The dog underwent surgery, but because of the nature of the injuries, cannot take a feeding tube. It’s unclear if Reece’s will survive.
At least this deputy was fired, but that doesn’t mean justice has been served. Where’s Black Labs Matter rioting in the streets? Where’s Jesse Jack Russel Terrier holding a peace vigil? Where’s Rev. Al Barkton’s justice march and shakedown?
