To the editor: PETA joins Burbank police in mourning Okay-9 Spike, who was shot by an armed suspect (“Police Okay-9, suspect killed after standoff with Burbank police,” Nov. 22). Not like human officers who select to serve, Spike had no say in risking his life. Police canines are loyal and desirous to please their handlers, however they can’t consent to being within the line of fireplace in violent confrontations.
Sadly, Spike’s loss of life isn’t an anomaly. Simply this 12 months, Okay-9 Oya in St. Louis County, Mo., was killed whereas pursuing two harmful suspects. Okay-9 Insurgent died within the crossfire as police in Albuquerque, N.M., tried to apprehend a recognized legal. Okay-9 Azi fell sufferer to an “change of gunfire” in McKinney, Texas. And people are just a few latest examples.
Companies throughout the nation, together with the Massachusetts State Police and Connecticut’s Enfield Police Division, are efficiently deploying robotic Okay-9s to deal with hazardous conditions. It’s time for all departments to undertake this expertise to avoid wasting animal and human lives.
Allison Fandl, Norfolk, Va.
This author is supervisor of particular tasks at PETA.
