Police In Hawthorne, CA Arrest Man, Shoot His Dog Right In Front Of Him

[bigross86]

Watch Police In Hawthorne, CA Arrest A Man And Then Shoot His Dog Right In Front Of Him
Written by The Cajun Boy / 07.02.13

I just want to warn you up front that this is one of the most disturbing things you will ever see, especially if you’re a lover of dogs. With that said, it’s something that probably needs to seen, precisely because it’s so disturbing on a number of levels.

Here’s the gist of what happens in the video embedded below: a man named Leon Rosby is seen videoing some sort of large police operation going on in a residential part of Hawthorne, CA while walking his dog, Max. A couple of cops near the scene then walk over and promptly slap handcuffs on Rosby, who had put Max in his car when the officers began to approach him. When Rosby’s dog saw the officers arresting its owner from the car, it naturally got upset and began barking, eventually jumping out the window of the car to run to Rosby’s aid. One of the cops then unloaded on the animal. All of this was captured on video by other bystanders.

Again, I warn you, this is very disturbing to watch, so proceed with caution before you press play.

According to a report by the Daily Breeze, Hawthorne police claim they arrested Rosby because the music playing in his car was loud and was “distracting the officers.” Additionally, Rosby had previously refused to comply with a request by police on the scene to turn down the music. As for why they shot Max, a police spokesman said they did it out of concern for the safety of the officers, but also out of concern for Rosby: “We’ve got a guy handcuffed that’s kind of defenseless. We have a duty to defend him, too.”

I guess pepper spray or, you know, uncuffing Rosby so that he could calm his dog weren't viable alternatives to deadly force. Also, I’m sure it’s no big deal that this took place in Los Angeles County and involves a black man and two white cops. Ugh.

I don't even know what to say. That cop is either a cold-hearted bastard or gets his jollies off causing pain. Either way he is a proper piece of scum.

[zraver]

And cops wonder why so many people hate them and why things like Cop Block are doing such brisk business.

[cyppok]

Watch Police In Hawthorne, CA Arrest A Man And Then Shoot His Dog Right In Front Of Him
Written by The Cajun Boy / 07.02.13



I don't even know what to say. That cop is either a cold-hearted bastard or gets his jollies off causing pain. Either way he is a proper piece of scum.

The sad fact is people assume they have the mantle of power and law on their side when they have a shiny metal object on their chest and are urged on by their higher ups, judges, and district attorneys.

Reality of-course is that agreement to follow the law and compliance is what really matters, when cops begin to disappear and someone may see something things like this will keep them thinking that it is simply "proper justice" being carried out since the actual system will be seen as the sham that it is becoming. Ergo why help the law if it is never on your side anymore?

P.S. "who watchers the watchers?" if we cannot whom will...

[zraver]

I wonder how long until they start billing our families for the bullets they shoot us with? He was arrested for filming, not for his music and then they shot his dog. FTP

[erik]

Would you guys get upset when people stereotype military members and say "F*** the Military" when they see disturbing videos of the military. I would say the same goes towards officers. One video doesn't paint all 16,000 departments and 800,000 officers across the nation. As with the military.

Z, you were the one helping out with the Tornado disasters in Oklahoma correct? Would you say FTP to the officers that I'm sure you worked with or were helping out also?

I'm not going to sit here and defend blindlessly what those officers did or act like it was something that won't be a huge PR disaster or tragic. However, lets look at this video as we would with others.
We see 3 minutes and 35 seconds of a much larger situation. Supposedly the man was asked prior to turn down his music while the police were conducting whatever it was that they got called in for.

This is pure speculation and based off my experience interning with a city police department, seeing that there is a SWAT vehicle in the background, there could have been a hostage situation, suicide/hostage, drug bust, warrant arrest of a dangerous felon, or something extremely high risk. With loud music going off in the background, disturbing the officers and with the situation at hand, of course you would want that distraction gone. Especially if it is a hostage situation. This is new, so i'm seeing on different sites that it was loud music, filming the raid, and/or obstructing police by standing near the barricade. So who knows. As with any new information, let the mud clear as to why he was arrested. I highly doubt it was for filming or else what happened to the person who filmed the shooting? Why wasn't he arrested?

As to shooting the dog, like any situation, hindsight is 20/20. Could a taser been used? Yeah. Could he have been uncuffed to try to calm his dog? Yeah. Pepperspray? (even tho that would just piss the dog right off) Yeah. However, you have a Rottweiler who in a matter of 9 seconds, went after the officers to defend his owner. The dog obviously lunged in for an attack at the officer at the 3:21 mark. That officer reacted with shooting the dog. The right one? Maybe not, but put yourself in his shoes with a Rottweiler lunging at you.

Now was it Rosby's best idea to have his music blasting in his car, near a SWAT raid, walking back and fourth behind the cop barricade with his dog, and not listening to previous requests? No.

No man should have to watch his dog get killed in front of him and I truly do feel for him. Especially seeing his reaction as his dog was dying. But I'm not going to act like the cops are just cold blooded dog killers. The video shows it was out of self-defense.

[Gun Grape]

I don't see the problem. The dog tried to bite the cop. I would have shot it also.

What exactly did you want to cop to do?

[bonehead]

I beg to differ here. The cops erred when they put the guy in custody for a bull shit reason. The man was showing absolutely no signs of resisting so the situation could have been handled differently, ie allow the man to secure the dog. The man erred because he failed to properly train his dog. A simple word command from the owner would have saved the animals life. The bottom line is that that Rottweiler was a wildcard, is capable of doing a lot of damage AND ATTACKED the cops. If a dog goes after me or something I am protecting I don't care if it is a mastiff or a chihuawa, or some high dollar show dog, I am going to put it down before it has a chance to put its teeth in me or someone else.

[zraver]

Would you guys get upset when people stereotype military members and say "F*** the Military" when they see disturbing videos of the military. I would say the same goes towards officers. One video doesn't paint all 16,000 departments and 800,000 officers across the nation. As with the military.

Z, you were the one helping out with the Tornado disasters in Oklahoma correct? Would you say FTP to the officers that I'm sure you worked with or were helping out also?

Nope, but they were not breaking the law, or rather inventing the law to violate a citizens rights and then engaging in a cover up.

He was not breaking the law with his car stereo. Here is the law in question and the noise level for a residence are 55Dba 7am-10pm.

8.40.060 Exterior noise levels prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person at any location within the incorporated area of the City to create any noise, or to allow the creation of any noise on property owned, leased, occupied, or otherwise controlled by such person, which causes the noise level when measured on any residential, public institutional, professional, commercial or industrial property, either within or without the City, to exceed the applicable noise standards:
(a) For a cumulative period of more than thirty (30) minutes in any hour;
(b) Plus 5 db(A) for a cumulative period of more than fifteen (15) minutes in any hour;
(c) Plus 10 db(A) for a cumulative period of more than five (5) minutes in any hour;
(d) Plus 15 db(A) for a cumulative period of more than one (1) minute in any hour; or
(e) Plus 20 db(A) for any period of time.

I'm not going to sit here and defend blindlessly what those officers did or act like it was something that won't be a huge PR disaster or tragic. However, lets look at this video as we would with others.
We see 3 minutes and 35 seconds of a much larger situation. Supposedly the man was asked prior to turn down his music while the police were conducting whatever it was that they got called in for.

No noise measuring device.

This is pure speculation and based off my experience interning with a city police department, seeing that there is a SWAT vehicle in the background, there could have been a hostage situation, suicide/hostage, drug bust, warrant arrest of a dangerous felon, or something extremely high risk. With loud music going off in the background, disturbing the officers and with the situation at hand, of course you would want that distraction gone. Especially if it is a hostage situation. This is new, so i'm seeing on different sites that it was loud music, filming the raid, and/or obstructing police by standing near the barricade. So who knows. As with any new information, let the mud clear as to why he was arrested. I highly doubt it was for filming or else what happened to the person who filmed the shooting? Why wasn't he arrested?

No visible signs of a police line/do not cross tape. No noise measuring equipment, cops heard the dog barking, guy was compliant but a persistent thorn in the police side. He was already suing then for civil rights violations. Police fatally shoot Rottweiler; dog's owner alleges retaliation - latimes.com

As to shooting the dog, like any situation, hindsight is 20/20. Could a taser been used? Yeah. Could he have been uncuffed to try to calm his dog? Yeah. Pepperspray? (even tho that would just piss the dog right off) Yeah. However, you have a Rottweiler who in a matter of 9 seconds, went after the officers to defend his owner. The dog obviously lunged in for an attack at the officer at the 3:21 mark. That officer reacted with shooting the dog. The right one? Maybe not, but put yourself in his shoes with a Rottweiler lunging at you.

Now was it Rosby's best idea to have his music blasting in his car, near a SWAT raid, walking back and fourth behind the cop barricade with his dog, and not listening to previous requests? No.

His music wasn't blasting. There is no distortion either in the music or the conversation.

No man should have to watch his dog get killed in front of him and I truly do feel for him. Especially seeing his reaction as his dog was dying. But I'm not going to act like the cops are just cold blooded dog killers. The video shows it was out of self-defense.

No it was not self defense. You cannot knowingly create a dangerous situation and then claim self defense. The cops created the situation by arresting someone who is self evidently guilty of nothing but contempt of cop.

[zraver]

I don't see the problem. The dog tried to bite the cop. I would have shot it also.

What exactly did you want to cop to do?

respect the constitution...

[YellowFever]

I wonder how long until they start billing our families for the bullets they shoot us with? He was arrested for filming, not for his music and then they shot his dog. FTP

I see at least one other guy filming right besides him, not to mention the guy that actually shot this video. And they were left alone.

And if a dog approached me that way, it's going down.

Let's not judge a situation by a 4 minute video clip....at least not until we know what happened prior to the start of filming.

[zraver]

I see at least one other guy filming right besides him, not to mention the guy that actually shot this video. And they were left alone.

And if a dog approached me that way, it's going down.

Let's not judge a situation by a 4 minute video clip....at least not until we know what happened prior to the start of filming.

From the LA times- The guy already had a lawsuit going against them for violation of his civil rights.

I looked up the noise ordnance. It requires measurement, which wasn't done, nor was it too loud. There is no distortion of the music or evidence of elevated vocals of the people who filmed it.

He did not cross any marked police line.

IN a free country, free people have the right to go where and when they want. If an area needed to be kept clear for law enforcement activities, then it is the job of the police to put up some sort of barrier or guard. At no point did the guy approach police in any sort of threatening manner and when the police approached him he was compliant and put his dog up. The officer acted like a thug, hopped up on adrenaline and power.

The police created the situation, culpability is theirs alone.

Every cop should be filmed every minute they are on duty. After-all, good cops have nothing to fear from cameras.

[citanon]

Guys,

I believe your anger at the police in this case is misplaced.

Here are the details according to NPR earlier this afternoon:

Hawthorne police was called to this house after receiving reports of an armed robbery going on inside. Hence the SWAT units and the armored vehicle in the back. This guy, who lived up the street, pulled up in this car with music blasting AS THE OPERATION WAS STILL GOING ON. IE, the armed robber was still in the house, along with possible victims. He was asked to turn off this music and drive away at which point he parked his car across the street with the stereo on, and then walked up close to film them. From the video you can see how close he was to the house where a potential armed stand off was occurring.

Once the operation rapped up, the police came to arrest him for interference. The police asked him to put his dog in his car first. He did so, but did not close the windows. On the video you saw what happened next.

Several things of note:

• He was interfering with a dangerous police operation.
• He was being arrested with sufficient cause. He of course, has the right to contest the charges in court.
• He was given a chance to secure his dog, but did not do a good job.
• This was a large rottweiler and the officer or bystanders could have been seriously hurt.

Under the circumstances one could debate the police's procedures and skill in handling the matter, but I think they were within their rights to both arrest him and defend themselves against the dog.

[erik]

Nope, but they were not breaking the law, or rather inventing the law to violate a citizens rights and then engaging in a cover up.

He was not breaking the law with his car stereo. Here is the law in question and the noise level for a residence are 55Dba 7am-10pm.

8.40.060 Exterior noise levels prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person at any location within the incorporated area of the City to create any noise, or to allow the creation of any noise on property owned, leased, occupied, or otherwise controlled by such person, which causes the noise level when measured on any residential, public institutional, professional, commercial or industrial property, either within or without the City, to exceed the applicable noise standards:
(a) For a cumulative period of more than thirty (30) minutes in any hour;
(b) Plus 5 db(A) for a cumulative period of more than fifteen (15) minutes in any hour;
(c) Plus 10 db(A) for a cumulative period of more than five (5) minutes in any hour;
(d) Plus 15 db(A) for a cumulative period of more than one (1) minute in any hour; or
(e) Plus 20 db(A) for any period of time.



No noise measuring device.

I looked up the noise ordnance. It requires measurement, which wasn't done, nor was it too loud. There is no distortion of the music or evidence of elevated vocals of the people who filmed it.

If you could post it from Hawthorne's city website, I would appreciate it. I can't access their site saying it is not responding, so I'm assuming it is crashed from all the traffic.

By the way, for the most part in many cities, the noise ordinance code does not require a sound measuring device. You can get a noise violation from what officers respond to what they think may be unreasonable. However, there are guidelines in these statutes. Cops can issue the ticket and there is a great amount of discretion by the police in issuing and determining noise violations.

There is no distortion of the music or evidence of elevated vocals of the people who filmed it.

His music wasn't blasting. There is no distortion either in the music or the conversation.

How can you tell from a cell phone video? This isn't a large concert where sound distortion is obvious and the bass just drowns everything out. It can still be loud, which you can obviously hear quite well on the video, without distortion being that it is coming from a car.

No visible signs of a police line/do not cross tape. No noise measuring equipment, cops heard the dog barking, guy was compliant but a persistent thorn in the police side. He was already suing then for civil rights violations. Police fatally shoot Rottweiler; dog's owner alleges retaliation - latimes.com

Like I said before, I can't get on Hawthorne's city's website and I'm not sure how California's state code works, but most cities and states have the same or similar codes. Here is Virginia's:

"Any police line or barricade erected for these purposes shall be clearly identified by wording such as “Police Line – DO NOT CROSS” or other similar wording. If material or equipment is not available for identifying the prohibited area, then a verbal warning by identifiable law-enforcement officials positioned to indicate a location of a police line or barricade shall be given to any person or persons attempting to cross police lines or barricades without proper authorization."

Now, obviously after reading what citanon put about what was happening, there wasn't time nor material to put up the yellow lines or establish a clear cut perimeter with some sort of signs or ropes. That is why police barricades using cars are legal and work as such.

He did not cross any marked police line.

As mentioned before, don't need em.

IN a free country, free people have the right to go where and when they want. If an area needed to be kept clear for law enforcement activities, then it is the job of the police to put up some sort of barrier or guard. At no point did the guy approach police in any sort of threatening manner and when the police approached him he was compliant and put his dog up. The officer acted like a thug, hopped up on adrenaline and power.

Yeah that barrier or guard were the police cars. You do not need lines or signs up right away if the material isn't present or in dire situations such as that where there isn't time.

Every cop should be filmed every minute they are on duty. After-all, good cops have nothing to fear from cameras.

I think it has been established that the man was not arrested for filming... or else the others would have been arrested too. Plus, it was shown that he was warned before to stay away and turn his music down while the police are trying to stop an armed robbery of a house with the residents/victims inside still.

[cyppok]

Technically loud music in the middle of the day, video taping outside the perimeter, and personal ideology shouldn't be a go sign to crack down on dissent.

You can make up any sort of valid excuse post-fact as it seems is becoming routine in this case and many others. Interference when none exist, aggression when none exhibited etc... in the end all of these things come back to bite you when compliance ceases and every situation in the mind of the populace becomes one where they feel it is never in their favor to have the "law" around.

Hawthorne Police Department Pays $1,000,000 To Settle Police Brutality & Corruption Lawsuit

On July 21, 2006, the Hawthorne Police Department received a loud noise complaint. Plaintiffs contend that in shutting down the party, officers beat plaintiff Anthony Goodrow, handcuffed him and then continued to beat him. It was further alleged that while Mr. Goodrow was handcuffed and face down on the cement, an Officer kicked Mr. Goodrow in the face breaking his jaw.

Then they high-fived each other...

Evidence the plaintiffs were prepared to present at trial included a photograph of an officer appearing to kick the handcuffed plaintiff in the face and a surveillance video allegedly depicting officers high-fiving each other as the injured plaintiff suffered from a broken jaw.

officer Jeffrey Salmon was there not sure if he did anything wrong though.

Hawthorne police officer who killed dog has a past charge of police brutality - Greenville Dog | Examiner.com
Well they only made up charges once before when they were caught. I am sure its "ok" to do it again a few years later...

[Officer of Engineers]

respect the constitution...

Jason,

No matter what the cops have done wrong, they are still within their rights of self defence. The dog attacked. The dog was shot. That is all there is to it.

Whether the cop violated the Consitution or not still does not permit him to be attacked. He can be charged afterwards but the dog dies. Period.