







From Chris’ story:


Sarah Hinman Ryan

264 Responses

  1. EG Mom says:

    Does this dog have a history of getting away or was this the first time? If it was not the first time, then shame on the owners for not securing their pet’s safety.
    As for the ACO – I believe he took the easiest and quickest solution into his hands. He obviously did not care about the dog or the owners of the dog and took the easy way out. If the dog was truly chasing after the horses and goats for the entire time it was in the pen, how did he know he was not going to accidentally shoot a farm animal? I am assuming he has a catch pole? A stun gun? Geeze, my dog would be afraid of a garden rake. So there was nothing at his disposal to get the dog out of the pen other than his pistol. Well I hope he sleeps nights knowing he killed someone’s pet.
    At the very least, the town owes these people a new dog and maybe some fencing so it can’t get away.

  2. Trish says:

    I walk this neighborhood daily and encounter the same dogs consistently loose and I can assure you I have never encountered Nikki loose. Mishaps occur, she slipped her collar. To take such drastic steps and shoot her. Were all others options exhausted? Could they have been in that short period of time? As a resident and responsible dog owner can I say mine could never accidentally get loose, absolutely not! The thought of these actions are drastic and scary! So sorry to the dogs owners!

  3. NGB Dad says:

    The dog should have been controlled, not in a neighbor’s livestock pen. Good for the armed livestock owner not taking the shot & letting the ACO do it, even though he would have been within his rights, but probably facing a public lynching by all these vicious animal lovers who put a dog’s rights over a citizen’s rights. Smart of them not to enter the pen w/ frenzied livestock.The town owes them nothing, not a dog, money or fencing. BTW, I’m not a fan of Bethlehem either.

  4. vertac says:

    Quite frankly, it makes no sense that people are defending this ACO’s actions. This incident was over in a matter of minutes which means the ACO’s FIRST instinct was to shoot a family pet. It was NOT a response of last resort. He did not even bother to go get the catch pole from his truck. He didnt call for backup, made no attempt to distract the dog, did not direct the horse’s owner to attempt to calm his animals while he concentrated on the dog.

    The ACO is also a law enforcement officer so he not only has an obligation to protect the horse owner’s property but also to protect the dog owner’s property.

    It should concern everyone that this law enforcement officer’s first response was to go for his gun.

  5. Karen Bruno says:

    I just wanted to clarify a few things. I am the home owner where the dog was shot. When I first saw her in my goat pen I screamed for help as I was also screaming at the dog to get out of here. She would not stop, that’s when I called my husband to call to police and went in the house and got a 22 riffle to protect my self, I did not have a shot gun, I had a 22 that was not used. The dog was shot in the pasture with the horse. She first was going after my goats, she had them cornered in the barn when I chased her out and closed the goats in but then she went after two of my horses biting at the hawks. She went from one horses to the other and would not stop. I screamed and yelled and she would not stop. Thats when the dog officer shot her, in Rockys pasture. It was a horrible terrible scene and I am sickened over it.
    Karen Bruno

  6. saddened says:

    I’m saddened by this entire situation. I personally know the owners of the horses and goats in question, and have spent MANY hours at their home, and barn. The animals in question are all pets, as much as Nikki was. I don’t believe it was a “bad” dog. Unfortunatley, goats are prey animals, and run from dogs. I’m sure that was very stimulating for Nikki.

    Nikki was chasing the goats in and out of the barn biting at their back legs. Luckily the owner was able to lock them into a secure area, but the dog went out and started chasing and biting at the horses. The horses in question are older, and are used to CALM dogs (even in their pens) but reacted as ANY prey animal would to being chased and bitten. It was an extremely dangerous situation. The dog would not back down when yelled at, and was running the horses into and out of the barn, and into the fences. It was far too danerous for a person to enter the pen at all, even the horse owner.

    Had animal control not come when he did, it is possible one could have broken out. That might have been VERY tragic for both the horse, and a passing motorist. I assure you, you do not want to see what happens when a car hits a horse.

    In NY, like almost every state, it is perfectly legal to shoot a dog that is harrassing livestock, I’m just glad that the ACO was able to respond and she didn’t have to take futher steps on her own. I hate to think what the outcome would have been if my friend had left for work 10 minutes earlier… The dog might be alive, but the goats? horses?

    Furthermore, I wish someone had reached out to the owner of the goats and horses. She was unaware of any attempts to reach her, and has sent an email, but has not received a response. She is distraught over the entire situation, which could have been avoided if Nikki was kept home.

  7. Charlie says:

    #34 how do you know this was over in a matter of minutes. The only person who provided any timeframe is the owner of the dog…..and I’m sure it is not as accurate as it is portrayed. Also, if the dog was actively attacking another animal, the ACO would have to act immediately. Is there any common sense out there?! This is a dog we are talking about. With all of the outcry here I wonder if all of these animal lovers would like to come down to the hospital and volunteer to spend time with the crack addicted babies or work at the local homeless shelter?

  8. vertac says:

    Another thing to consider is the horse owner, who is the only one who actually did the right thing.

    If the dog was vicious and an immediate threat to the owner’s life or the life of the livestock, the owner could have easily shot the dog and well within his rights. Instead, he exercised good judgement and chose to get help through the town’s ACO.

    If the horse owner exercised the requisite judgement called for in this situation, how can any less be demanded of a town official who is actually charged with this responsibility?

  9. Ronni says:

    To all showing interest in this story. That dog lived next to me for months. Yes she got loose quite a few times. She killed a duck from a pond behind the house she lived in and brought it in the house. Jordan took pictures of the dead duck with his cell phone. When this happened I told the Decker’s the dog would end up being shot if she went after anyones livestock or animals in this town. All Mr. Decker said was “No one wants to shoot my dog”.

  10. vertac says:

    #36 Read the story again. The police received the call at 10:06. That’s their stated time, not the dog owner.

    As to your other comments, refer to #37.

  11. James says:

    This is similar to Sophie’s Choice: Shoot the dog or have livestock be killed. I think that the appropriate thing was done. This dog was let loose by the owner (either intentionally or unintentionally) and it was a menace. That’s the nature of owning dogs. The owner of the dog should’ve been more attentive to the dog (ie. socialization and aggression of a Husky) as well as the security of the collar.

    I am a dog lover and an animal lover but in this situation, the right thing was done. No one wants a dog shot but this was the only choice.

  12. LL says:

    Horrible tragedy. I’m just waiting for someone to blame Obama on this one. All the right wing nut jobs blame Obama for everything

  13. Jim_C says:

    As much as I love animals, and this is a travesty, it purely rests on the shoulders of the owners. They should have made sure their dog wasn’t getting free, last time I checked there is a leash law. Sorry people but that is the truth. People with livestock need to make a living too? What if it had been a kid?

    I will just add one last thing, what aren’t the police telling us? Something does seem strange here?

  14. Jim_C says:

    I will just add one more thing the dogs owner claims he is a hunter? What would he do if he saw a dog in the woods after a deer? He would he put the animal down? I have known people that have seen dogs tracking deer to at least fire a shot near the dog to spook him. As I said before i love animals and always will but the last time I checked there is a leash law.

  15. Teri Conroy says:

    The entire situation is very sad. Yes, the owner of the dog is ultimately responsible for the dog. Yes, accidents happen and dogs get loose. Yes, even nice, sweet dogs are predators and have the potential to kill. Yes, the owner of the farm would have been within her rights to kill the dog herself. And the dog didn’t even need to be IN WITH the goats and horses.
    I have been ‘this’ close to shooting a dog on my property. The thought of doing so makes me sick, but if it came down to my animals or someone else’s dog…I would shoot it.

    If the dog hadn’t gotten loose, it wouldn’t be dead. The owners are 100% responsible for their dog, despite the fact that they didn’t ‘will’ will the dog to escape and go to the farm.
    In every aspect of life these days, it’s everyone else’s fault. Talking about the ACO in this conversation is pointless.

  16. Charlee says:

    This is a tragic incident, i do believe that the dog had to be shot, i know the owners are extremely sorry and love animals all types including dogs!! This hurt them just as much as the owners. If the dog had not been put the rest, yes i agree in a horrible way but…he would have been back it is instinct for a dog to chase livestock that’s just what dogs do, it does not make the dog a mean it made it canine! If this dog had been taken for a walk and not tied out along 369 which is not safe at all might i add it would not have happened, the owners should know husky’s like to run they need a lot of exercise along with many other breeds, im sorry but its not anyone fault but the owners, its very sad i agree i feel bad they had to lose there dog, but how was anyone to know like previous people said where the owners were!

  17. BMan says:

    Shame on everyone involved, the owners should have better control over the animal and the ACO should have used better judgement and at the very least, the town should take a hard look at the ACO in question.

  18. Nicole says:

    I was sympathetic with the pet owner until I read that he was a hunter. That is a hypocrite if you ask me. He doesn’t like innocent animals being shot and killed, then he can start by giving up hunting.

  19. Gabe says:

    Sadly, in this human-dominated world the non-humans always get the short end of the stick. This is typical police action – deadly force first then defend your actions later it’s too late to undo.

    So the owner is a hunter? he knows what the families of those he murders feel when their loved one is shot. And I have no empathy for the ‘farmer’ position. They rape animals (yes, that’s what it’s called in animal ‘farming’), rip their babies from them at birth, and abuse them until the ‘farmer’ decides it’s a money-losing proposition then murder them. So, the farmer position is NOT that it’s not ok for the ‘livestock’ to be killed. It’s that it’s only ok when the FARMER decides it’s time for murder. Animal farmers should do something respectable and productive like vegetable farming.

  20. vertac says:

    Yes, the owner is responsible for the dog but NO, that is not a justification for needlessly shooting a family pet.

    The ACO is a public official who is charged with the protection of ALL property owners, the horse owner AND the dog owner. Being that he is a public official, he is subject to accountability by the public.

    According to Ms. Bruno’s (the horse owner) post above, the dog was shot in a pasture, not a pen, which differs with the police statement (and I believe Ms. Bruno). Since he was able to shoot the dog with a pistol, chances are he was not on the move and if the dog was close to the horse, then he risked hitting the horse. Why not a warning shot, or a carefully placed shot near the dog?

    The ACO did the wrong thing and should be held accountable so that there is a better outcome next time.

  21. clumpty says:

    I think it is awful nhe killed the dog, there had to be another way of handeling the situation. Things just dont add up.

  22. Abuse of Power says:

    Way over the line for any officer, given the nature of this event. My sympathy to the owners. For the Officer responsible and the inept Department they seem to run, the world has no use for this kind of behavior. In time I am sure, what you give, you will get in return or so they say. Remember, someday you will be held accountable to your maker and this event.

  23. Concerned citizen says:

    The story States that in order to save the live stock the dogs life was taking, it does not state how many animals were harmed or killed, just that the dog was nipping at legs. so as far as I can see the only animals life who was in danger was the dogs.. Sounds like they both had good intentions on killing the dogs… did he try to call backup? or try to use any other means? did he fire of a warning to try and scare the dog… so many questions.

    Acording to the Agricultural law

    . A person is guilty of aggravated cruelty to animals when, with no justifiable purpose, he or she intentionally kills or intentionally causes serious physical injury to a companion animal with aggravated cruelty. For purposed of this section, “aggravated cruelty ” shall mean conduct which: intended to cause extreme physical pain; or done or carried out in an especially depraved or sadistic manner.

  24. Anne Jerome says:

    I’ve read all the comments about this tragic loss of a family pet and know how Nikki’s owners feel as I have had to say goodbye to some of our own dogs that were truly family members. Has anyone considered what a terrile event it was for Karen Bruno to have to go through because of someone else’s negligence? She was about to leave for work when this all started. Just think if she had already left?? Do all of you who are condeming the actions of the ACO know what it’s like to see a frantic horse being run down?
    You don’t want to get in the way. Believe me. She and her husband Joe are truly animal lovers and have two beautiful dogs that live with them in their house and have a secure fenced in yard to run when they’re home. They have four pet goats also with a pen in the barn and attached fence. They also have chickens. Once again, with good pen fencing. They have three beautiful Morgan horses, once again with good electric and board fencing. I would like to add that one of those Morgans is a nineteen year old gelding who is blind in one eye and must have been terrified. It was in his pen that that poor dog was put down. Oh and I would add that that horse belongs to me and I would have been even more upset if anything had happened to him!! And another thing, that was not a shotgun that the homeowner had, but a 22. I know all of this because those homeowners are my daughter and son-in-law who feel terrible about this whole thing and the dog owners truly owe them an apology for what they have been through.
    to Karen and Joe
    I love you, Mom

  25. Karin says:

    @ #49 – You do understand that we are talking about horses and goats, not animals raised for food like chickens and beef cattle, correct? And there are people who raise even chickens and cows using humane methods (you *have* heard of “free range” chickens, and cows raised grass-fed rather than grain/hormone-fed?).

    And as someone who comes from a loooong line of farmers, I can say with certainty that you haven’t a damn clue what you are talking about. You sound like one of those city-idiot vegans.

  26. february says:

    Re: #35. I feel sorry for Karen Bruno and her family. I know what it feels like when you have a dog on your property and it wants to hurt your pets. Karen had a 22 but did not use it. She can only answer why she didn’t shoot the dog. It appears to me that Karen was not afraid of this dog because she states: “I chased her out and closed the goats”. Thus, I ask why couldn’t this dog be saved ? My neighbor’s rotties and pitbull dog came after my small pug on “my” property and I will never forget how I felt. I have personally dealt with the ACO and feel that he should be fired immediately for this action and past actions. I ask why didn’t the ACO kill the rotty and pitbull that came over on my property ? Would it be okay if the pitbull killed my old blind pug ? As for the comments on the owner being a hunter: Hunters kill deer, etc. to feed their families.

  27. Concerned citizen says:

    the owner was a first time hunter this year and has never shot an animal! i know him personally and yes he has stated he will be selling his guns and will not hunt anymore

  28. LAZY ACO says:

    Are you kidding me? Sounds like NO options were exhausted here. Sounds like the animal control officer decided on ONE option. NO injuries to any livestock? Something runs, dogs will chase, prey drive kicks in. Doesn’t sound like he was actually bringing down the “prey”. Shame on you. Shame on you.

  29. Melissa says:

    I live in a very rural area and am very worried after reading this story. My dog, a little cockapoo, is put out on a line a few times each day for the bathroom or to play. Though I watch her every minute that she’s outside on the line (either from my ramp or through the door’s window, both of which allow me to see her at all times,) I now worry about what could happen IF: what if she got out of her collar? What if her collar broke? My dog is a good dog who has never attacked anyone or any animal for any reason but, as has been said, one never knows what a dog will do when with livestock. Many of my neighbors have animals: chickens, goats, pigs, etc. So my question is this: what can I do to ensure that my dog does not get loose? Is there really any fool-proof way to prevent this????? I’d hate for anything like this to happen to my pup!

  30. Heather says:


    You stand a better chance of ensuring your dog won’t get loose by being outside with her, not just watching out the window.