to the editor: PETA joins Burbank police in mourning K-9 Spike, who was shot by armed suspect (“Police K-9, suspect killed after standoff with Burbank police”. November 22). Unlike human officers who choose to serve, Spike had no say in risking his life. Police dogs are loyal and eager to please their masters, but they cannot consent to be in the line of fire in violent confrontations.
Unfortunately, Spike's death is not an anomaly. Just this year, K-9 Oya in St. Louis County, Missouri, was murdered while chasing two dangerous suspects. Rebel K-9 died in the crossfire while police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, were trying to arrest a known criminal. K-9 Azi was a victim to an “exchange of gunfire” in McKinney, Texas. And those are just a few recent examples.
Agencies across the country, including Massachusetts State Police and Connecticut Enfield Police Departmentare successfully deploying K-9 robots to handle dangerous situations. It is time for all departments to adopt this technology to save human and animal lives.
Allison Fandl, Norfolk, Virginia.
This writer is a special projects manager at PETA.
