Protest march against policeman who shot dog

Paul and Keith Barnett and their dogs Danny and George lead a the march toward the Whakatane Police Station. PHOTO/KATEE SHANKS

The 50-strong crowd at a Whakatane march protesting a decision not to prosecute an officer who shot a dog with an arrow want the officer's identity revealed.

Today's march, organised by seasoned campaigner Wharenui Tuna, followed last week's police decision not to lay criminal charges against the policeman who, on November 12, shot a 4-year-old bull mastiff named Zeta that had wandered on to his property.
The hunting arrow hit the dog behind its elbow and travelled part-way into its chest causing serious injuries.

The dog's owner reported the offence the evening of the shooting and, three days later, the officer came forward and admitted firing the arrow.
A criminal investigation launched by police concluded the case did not reach the criminal threshold for a prosecution but was subject to legal review. The matter is now an employment issue.

The march saw people and canines walk from outside the The Warehouse to the police station. Once the crowd reached the station people were asked to give their views.
Keith Barnett, who marched with his son Paul, their Irish Setter George and their Gordon Setter Danny, said his father had been part of the British Metropolitan Police before coming to New Zealand and continuing in the police force.

"I couldn't ever imagine him picking up a crossbow and shooting at an animal - not ever," Mr Barnett senior said.

One woman suggested the policeman could have picked up a hose to scare the dog off his property while another said there needed to be one rule for all people. The latter comment brought a huge cheer from the crowd.

"The underlying message I'm getting is you believe there is a double-standard here," Mr Tuna asked the crowd. They shouted 'yes'.

"Would you like to see the policeman charged?" Mr Tuna asked. Again they shouted 'yes'.

"I'm sure if I was to shoot a dog with an arrow the law would come down heavy on me. I'm pretty sure the armed offenders squad would be called also."

A man in the crowd asked if the policeman had access to a Taser or firearms what he would do next.

People also asked why it had taken three days for the man to come forward and why police were protecting his identity.

One speaker suggested policemen and women should be of a higher standard than the rest of the community.

"The officer involved should be impeccable in his actions," Whakatane's Kate Andrews said.
Susan Pascoe Barton reminded the crowd that there were some "really good police in Whakatane".

"We have to remember they come when we need them to. I believe it's just the ones at the top making the bad decisions," Mrs Pascoe Barton said.

Although asked by Mr Tuna, police declined the chance to speak.
Nearing the end of the discussion, Mr Tuna asked the crowd what they would like to see as an outcome. They replied they would like to see the decision not to lay a criminal charge reversed.

"So we will be as persuasive as we can to see this happen," Mr Tuna concluded.