West Virginia state trooper Seth Cook was visiting a neighborhood to respond to a disturbance call.
The officer parked his patrol car and began walking toward the reported location, but a leashed dog named Buddy, from a different home, began barking at him.
Irked by the dog’s behavior, Seth instantly drew out his gun and pointed it at Buddy.
Source: The Free Thought Project/YouTube
Seth was just about to shoot Buddy when his owner, Tiffanie Hupp, came running into the yard in a state of panic.
The 23-year-old mother immediately positioned herself in front of the gun to shield her innocent pooch.
She pleaded Seth to spare Buddy’s life, but the enraged officer used force on the helpless woman instead.
In this shaky video recorded by Tiffanie’s husband, we see Seth grabbing the woman and hurling her to the ground violently.
The onlookers scream in horror as the officer forcefully handcuffs Tiffanie and drags her to his car, arresting her on charges of “obstruction of justice”.
Later, Seth also confiscated all electronics from the Hupp household, including the phone that had the recording of this vile incident.
Source: The Free Thought Project/YouTube
As the case went into trial, Seth justified his attempt to shoot Buddy by explaining that local troopers are trained to “kill any dog that gets in their way, regardless of their behavior”.
He also defended the assault by falsely claiming that Tiffanie threatened him with a crossbow.
But the judge eventually got hold of the recording and the jury acquitted the poor woman on all charges within 30 minutes.
The police department also agreed to pay $150,000 as part of a settlement.
Source: The Free Thought Project/YouTube
While the community is praising Tiffanie for taking a brave stand against an armed officer, she is just relieved that Buddy and her family are safe at the end of the day.
This unfortunate and disturbing incident is definitely a wake-up call about establishing more animal friendly policies in law enforcement.
Click the video below to watch Tiffanie getting assaulted and arrested while trying to save her dog’s life.
h/t FOX 5 Atlanta, Animal Legal Defense Fund
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10 of the Smartest Dogs in the World:
A friend of mine has a beautiful Dalmatian. Friendly, energetic and lovable, she was a perfect family pet… but she wasn’t the smartest pooch on the planet. See, she knew how to go through the pet door out into the garden, but she had no clue how to get back inside. It never occurred to her that the flap could swing both ways. So she would sit outside and howl until my friend would open the door.
Repeated demonstrations of the dual movement of the flap had no effect; it just did not compute. The dog breeds on this list, however, probably don’t have that problem. They’re widely considered to be among the cleverest canines in the world. Take a look and see if you agree.
1. German Shepherd
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No surprise here. German Shepherds are the world’s best police dogs, military dogs, and some have even been movie stars (remember Rin Tin Tin?). Brave, loyal, smart and strong, they’re the total package.
2. Beagle
Also on the list of the best family-friendly dogs in the world, the Beagle has an incredible nose that lets them sniff out just about anything. Born detectives, they’re not the most trainable pets, but they are smart. And hey, nobody ever accused Snoopy of being dumb.
3. Golden Retriever
A popular choice for assistance dogs for their easy temperament, natural intelligence and loyalty, Golden Retrievers are natural guides and also serve as great rescue dogs. Active and fun to be around, they’re wonderful family pets.
4. Border Collie
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Border Collies are considered by many to be the geniuses of the dog world. Expert herders, laser-focused (they’re known for their intense stare), and incredibly agile to boot, they’re workaholics and excellent athletes. Just don’t expect to keep one cooped up in an apartment.
5. Poodle
Did you know poodles were originally hunting dogs? They respond very well to training and are quick to learn tricks. So don’t let the fluffy looks and styled mane fool you! These dogs are among the smart canines around. Plus, they’re among the best dogs in the world for those who suffer allergies.
6. Belgian Malinois
A terrific military dog, the Malinois is a natural herder, tracker and worker. Smart, trainable and protective, these dogs require an owner who knows what he or she is doing. In addition to the military, Malinois are often recruited as guard dogs and police dogs as well.
7. Papillon
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Named for their butterfly-shaped ears, papillons are small, cute and pretty smart. They’re considered the smartest of the toy dog breed, with intelligence levels comparable to the über-smart border collie. They’re alert and focused pets, and loyal and lovable: an ideal friend for he family.
8. Doberman
Sadly, Dobermans are known more for their ferocity than their smarts, but these are considered among the most intelligent dogs in the world, as well as one of the most effective guard dogs around. They’re outstanding students known to be affectionate and obedient.
9. Bloodhound
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Don’t let the wrinkles and dopey expression fool you! Bloodhounds have the keenest of noses, and are often used for trailing (so much so that their evidence can be used in court against you!). These are loving but strong-willed dogs, and are often used on search and rescue missions.
10. Australian Cattle Dog
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You need a smart, determined and energetic dog to control unruly cows. And that’s just what the Australian Cattle Dog, or ACD, does. They’re intelligent enough to herd these much larger creatures, and while they need their independence and wide open spaces, they’re eager workers who know how to get the job done.
Did we miss your brainy dog on this list? If so, write in and let us know about it!
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