Dog owners lobby Colorado lawmakers for police training to avoid deadly pet shootings

DENVER – Dog lovers concerned about recent cases where law enforcement officers fatally shot people’s pets are lobbying Colorado lawmakers on a bill to train officials on how to handle canine encounters.

The bill unanimously passed its first hearing in a Senate committee Wednesday. The full Senate will consider it later.

Dozens of dog owners rallied at the Capitol for the bill. Some choked up when they testified in favour of the measure and recalled how their pets had been killed.

The proposal would require sheriff’s and police departments to provide three hours of online training for deputies and officers on how to recognize dog behaviours and employ nonlethal methods to control them when necessary.

The County Sheriffs of Colorado worked on the legislation and supports it.