Anaheim officers justified in killing man who shot police dog Bruno, D.A. says

12/6/2014

Summary: Headline insinuates "If someone shoots your pet you now by law,  have a legal right to kill them!"

 

 

Anaheim police dog Bruno was forced into early retirement after taking a bullet in his jaw while on a search.

Three Anaheim police officers justifiably shot and killed a suspected Anaheim gang member who fired at them and a police dog in March, Orange County District Attorney’s Office prosecutors said.

Robert Andrew Moreno, 21, was hiding in a trash can in an Anaheim neighborhood shortly before he fired on the K-9 and officers, prosecutors said in a report issued late last month.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office investigated the death, as is routine for shootings involving police officers.

The three men – two officers and a sergeant – who fired on Moreno acted within the scope of the law when they used lethal force, the investigation found.

“It will defy logic for anybody to conclude that under these circumstances the (Anaheim Police Department) officers were not reasonably justified in firing at Moreno in self defense,” Deputy District Attorney Barbara Kim stated in the report.

Bruno, a 7-year-old German shepherd, was seriously injured in the March 20 shooting and has undergone several surgeries to repair his jaw.

Anaheim police were responding to a call regarding a suspect firing on Orange County probation officers who had been conducting a probation check near North Mayfair Avenue and West Lodge Avenue. SWAT officers responded to the neighborhood and conducted a house-by-house search for the suspect, identified by authorities as Moreno.

While searching a patio area at a house in the 1100 block of North Mayfair Avenue, police – with the help of Bruno – located Moreno hiding in a trash can.

When Bruno began to lift the lid of the trash can with his nose, Moreno, who was hiding there, shot the dog in the lower jaw, according to the report. The bullet went through one lung and lodged an inch from the animal’s heart.

Moreno continued to fire at the officers, prompting them to return fire, prosecutors said in the report. One of the officers told investigators he felt “heat” or “wind” go past his ear.

“In this case, Moreno’s action did not just indicate an intent to attack. Rather, he actually attacked the officers and shot at them multiple times,” the report said.

Moreno suffered about 23 gunshot wounds. An autopsy revealed that he had methamphetamine and THC in his system. Police recovered a 9 mm Luger semi-automatic handgun and 30 cartridge cases from where Moreno’s body was found.

Moreno had a criminal history dating back to 2007, including arrests for battery on a peace officer, possession of narcotics and participation in a criminal street gang, prosecutors said.

Bruno spent seven weeks recovering at the Yorba Regional Animal Hospital after the shooting and was retired by the Anaheim Police Department. The veterinarians who treated Bruno were not able to remove the bullet, and it remains inside. Half of one of the dog’s lungs was removed, and his jaw received several reconstructive surgeries.

Anaheim police spokesman Lt. Bob Dunn said Bruno underwent a successful procedure about a month and a half ago to repair his jaw. Bruno continues to recover at the home of his handler, Dunn said.

“He’s doing much better,” Dunn said.

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