View Poll Results: Should the SPCA officers carry weapons?
Yes
22
81.48%
No
5
18.52%
Voters: 27. You may not vote on this poll
SPCA and weapons
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: Grapeview, WA
SPCA and weapons
Okay all....
I don't know how many of you are in awares of this - in some states, the SPCA officers have full authority of police and carry guns, etc. Now, I am totally against animal cruelty (no, that doesn't include hunting, as long as you use what you kill) and I think that yes, the SPCA officers should have the ability to arrest someone on animal cruelty charges, as that is a federal crime....HOWEVER, do they really have a need to carry guns and nightsticks?? Just wondering what you all think.
I don't know how many of you are in awares of this - in some states, the SPCA officers have full authority of police and carry guns, etc. Now, I am totally against animal cruelty (no, that doesn't include hunting, as long as you use what you kill) and I think that yes, the SPCA officers should have the ability to arrest someone on animal cruelty charges, as that is a federal crime....HOWEVER, do they really have a need to carry guns and nightsticks?? Just wondering what you all think.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 872
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, Alabama
Yes
If you have ever worked around some of them, they are threatened and messed with probably more than the local police. Its not always fiesable to have the local police escourt them around. I will qualify it by saying that they should have the proper training in order to carry them.
With our current laws any tom dick or harry can carry a weapon with little or no training. Now this sucks. And if you really think about it, scary...
With our current laws any tom dick or harry can carry a weapon with little or no training. Now this sucks. And if you really think about it, scary...
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: Grapeview, WA
Protecting themselves against the animals isn't exactly what I meant. It isn't their job to harm an animal, regardless of it's attitude, they are trained to handle temperamental animals. Thanks for your input though.....
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 3
From: Summit, NJ
I feel they absolutely have every reason to carry weapons. Not everyone is cooperative that gets arrested. I've watched the shows on 'Animal Planet' and the people that get arrested for animal cruelty appear to be the scum of the earth. I wouldn't doubt that they have weapons hanging around somewhere and the idea of going to jail isn't exactly agreeable. They are law enforcement officers who can arrest, therefor.. they should have the proper protection.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 392
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From: Lower Rainland British Columbia, Canada
NO
If they come up against an obnoxious two legged he/she, they can always call for back up. After all we all have jobs to do that we are trained in and I think most Animal Control people don't need to deal with the crap they get. Anyone who would abuse an animal is just downright mean and needs to be fixed. JMO
JK
JK
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 303
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From: norwich USA
Originally posted by V10KLZZ71S
Billyclubs and guns,because people that mistreat animals should be beaten then shot.
Billyclubs and guns,because people that mistreat animals should be beaten then shot.
My thoughts exactly...
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Elder User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 760
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From: Billings, MT
Originally posted by Oceanwave
NO
If they come up against an obnoxious two legged he/she, they can always call for back up. After all we all have jobs to do that we are trained in and I think most Animal Control people don't need to deal with the crap they get. Anyone who would abuse an animal is just downright mean and needs to be fixed. JMO
JK
NO
If they come up against an obnoxious two legged he/she, they can always call for back up. After all we all have jobs to do that we are trained in and I think most Animal Control people don't need to deal with the crap they get. Anyone who would abuse an animal is just downright mean and needs to be fixed. JMO
JK
These men and women have as much reason to carry a gun as any other officer.
Heck, millions of non-LEO Americans can find justification to carry even without such a dangerous job. If we can do it, these SPCA officers should have every opportunity to.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 872
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, Alabama
Misunderstood
Maybe I didn't make it clear on my thoughts. I ment that the gun and the club were for the people that they would have to deal with. Your right about using them on animals...no way. But people, should be a lot more of it being done.
and you have to remember that you don't always have the option of calling for back up from the locals..
and you have to remember that you don't always have the option of calling for back up from the locals..
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
I say yes. In my opinion there's no reason every responsible, trained adult in this country shouldn't carry a gun, most of all these poor SOB's that have to deal with irrate scum bags every day. If you watch a few episodes on Animal Planet where they're dealing with these guys, would you feel comfortable going in there unarmed? As long as they're properly trained it's a blessing to the police force not to have to drop everthing and escort them to every call.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Lower Rainland British Columbia, Canada
I guess I didn't make myself clear either. SPCA people are not Law Enforcement Officers. If they get into a situation that is way out of there control they are expected to back off and call the local authorities for assistance. If they feel that the situation that they are going into is dangerous they are expected to call for Law Enforcement assistance. They are not to put themselves in danger at any time! It's right in the "Charter" so there is no need for them to carry the weapons suggested.
Animal Control Officers are a different Kettle of Fish! These guys are charged with taking down and bringing in the "Rabid Alphas" of every species. To them I authorize the use of extreme force.
But to the folks that I've dealt with over the last 20 years at the SPCA. No Weapons! no need for them, they do there jobs just fine without them.
JK
Animal Control Officers are a different Kettle of Fish! These guys are charged with taking down and bringing in the "Rabid Alphas" of every species. To them I authorize the use of extreme force.
But to the folks that I've dealt with over the last 20 years at the SPCA. No Weapons! no need for them, they do there jobs just fine without them.
JK
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 846
Likes: 2
From: Bakersfield Ca.
I vote yes. But I don't think it should be a requirement but a choice. I think a question that could be asked of the man in the field is, "do you feel a need and do you want to carry a firearm"? Kinda like airline pilots.
If an SPCA worker feels the need to go armed, why not? He or she has the same rights to self defense as anybody else, be it against an animal or person. Of course each state will have their own regulations and dept. guide lines.
If an SPCA worker feels the need to go armed, why not? He or she has the same rights to self defense as anybody else, be it against an animal or person. Of course each state will have their own regulations and dept. guide lines.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
Jeffrey Dahmer started out abusing animals so what do you think ????
Basically the kind of peole that abuse and otherwise mistreat animals are CRIMINALS in other areas of life and to confront one of these idiots unarmed is a bit insane. In Ohio animal control always has to call a deputy or police officer to go with them when they talk to someone about an abuse or neglect case since it could end up in cahrges being filed.
I am okay with these peole carrying guns etc
AND I support children services case workers also being trained and armed when they go out in the community to investigate cases of child neglect and abuse. We had 1 murderered and two raped in Central Ohio.
Basically the kind of peole that abuse and otherwise mistreat animals are CRIMINALS in other areas of life and to confront one of these idiots unarmed is a bit insane. In Ohio animal control always has to call a deputy or police officer to go with them when they talk to someone about an abuse or neglect case since it could end up in cahrges being filed.
I am okay with these peole carrying guns etc
AND I support children services case workers also being trained and armed when they go out in the community to investigate cases of child neglect and abuse. We had 1 murderered and two raped in Central Ohio.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: Blaine Wa
Being a Law enforcement officer myself, Yes they should be armed. (if they wear a badge and uniform) When you put on a uniform and a badge you become a target. The SPCA officer that walks into 7-11 to get a big gulp, and walks in an armed robbery becomes "the cops" to the bad guy. I would like to see them have the ability to "shoot back!" Besides, they have the need to be armed because they can encounter a deadly situation on every call they respond to.
Last edited by Bowcop; Jan 13, 2004 at 06:00 AM.