Protecting our companion animals

In the recent past two companion dogs have been killed by police officers in the metro-Denver area. One of these killings happened last week.

Mike and I share our lives and our home with six companion animals: Rock, Miguel, Suga and Monty the dogs and Chin and Cheng the chinchillas. As all of you do for your companion animals, I love each of them with all of my heart and do everything I can to make sure they are safe, loved and happy.

Both dogs that were shot by the police had families that loved them.

I can't even imagine what those families are going through. In one case the dog got out of the house. In the other, the police entered the wrong house.

I love letting our dogs out front. For the most part they stay with me. For the most part. I have to keep an eye on them. Mike has tried so many times to get me to stop letting them out front, and I assure you I am as close as ever. Except for Miguel. He'll stay with me and not leave the yard, even if another dog comes by.

Our dogs are up to date on their shots. They are all licensed. They have a huge fenced-in backyard where they are safe to roam, play and sniff. We take them around the block and to a local open space for walks. And of course they are loved on all the time!

After the first dog was shot and killed I considered writing a letter to our Chief of Police asking him to create a policy or strengthen a current policy on interaction with people's companion animals. Now I am for sure going to write the letter, and perhaps contact my two city council members. Many times I have written about encouraging our readers to be the voice for the voiceless. This is an example of doing just that.

I ask you to make a connecting with your local police department and to ask the person(s) who represents you on city council to make sure that companion animals are protected from police in any situation unless death or injury is imminent. The more we talk about this and the mroe we communicate our thoughts to those in power, the likelihood of another dog being killed by police decreases.

Will you join us?

Thank you for reading!