'She was just doing her job': Homeless vet loses service dog during arrest for panhandling

[Swede]

What in the fuck is wrong the police?

Joshua Graham Rohrer, a homeless veteran in North Carolina, says he was wrongfully arrested and mistreated by Gastonia police officers, who also tased his service dog Sunshine, sparking support from those who witnessed the incident.

https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2021/10/27/i-just-wanted-to-die-homeless-veteran-loses-service-dog-during-arrest-for-panhandling/

[WhiskeyGrinder]

1. If people knew how many dogs cops shoot, "defund the police" would be the bare-ass minimum.

[Ocelot II]

3. They didn't shoot this dog; they tased her and she later ran away

and was hit by a car. I understand your point, though.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

4. "Cause the death of" didn't fit the line. But yeah, the point stands.

[nuxvomica]

2. That's a horribly tragic story

Those officers have no right to a badge. And obviously the Gastonia PD is way over-staffed if so many showed up to ruin this poor man's life, on a charge of panhandling, for chrissakes!

[renate]

5. that breaks my heart

She was just trying to find her best friend.

I'll admit that the cops weren't directly responsible for her death, but they had a responsibility to let his service dog stay with him, and if they had, she would be alive today and he would be in much better mental health.

This is so horribly, horribly sad.

[atreides1]

19. ????

The cops tasered the dog...the dog then ran away...and the dog was hit by a car and killed!

[renate]

20. the story said she was caught by a friend but then slipped her leash and was hit

If I'm wrong about that and the dog ran directly away from the police, then it was 100% their fault. A service dog wouldn't have left her owner's side unless he was taken away and she had no choice.

[Carlitos Brigante]

6. What a bunch of low life scumbags. Then they have the giant brass ones to wonder.... nt

[kacekwl]

7. If that was my dog and the cops treated

me that way losing their jobs would be the least of their concerns.

[USALiberal]

15. I'm not understanding this. Are you saying you would beat up the cops or something? Nt

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

8. How sad

[MarcA]

9. They are allowed to treat people and their dogs anyway they want.

But you better not do anything to them or their dogs. They have got laws to prove it.

[LisaL]

10. Pretty ironic that 911 caller who turned the guy in was concerned about the dog

supposedly being used to get money.
Well, the dog is now dead, thanks in part to 911 being called on her owner.

[Grins]

14. Book I read about cops years ago...

A violent shoot out involving a rookie cop. A dog was killed by accident. And the letters of complaint came rushing in!!!! About the dog.

You kill any dog (or a cat) - even if justified to save your life or lives of others - look out.

[Withywindle]

27. This is why I would never call the cops on ANYONE not doing anything imminently dangerous

It's a violent tragedy waiting to happen.

[MustLoveBeagles]

11. Horrible

Talk about an over the top police response. Their violent treatment of Mr. Rohrer and the tazing of Sunshine is completely inexcusable. I hope that caller is proud of themselves.

[Ziggysmom]

12. It won't bring back Sunshine, but I hope he sues those assholes and wins. How low can cops

get? Treating a Veteran like that?

[atreides1]

18. Qualified Immunity

The courts will back up the pigs and nothing will happen!

Cops can go lower then whale shit on the ocean floor and it would still wouldn't be as low as they can get!!!

[Duppers]

25. Yes. He must sue them.

Hope attorneys contact him. Even the ACLU - his rights were violated.

Poor, sweet Sunshine.

[The Jungle 1]

13. fascism

Fascism (/ˈfæʃɪzəm/) is a form of far-right, authoritarian ultranationalism characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, and strong regimentation of society and of the economy, which came to prominence in early 20th-century Europe. Wiki

[Ka-Dinh Oy]

16. As a person with knowledge of service dog laws

that officer can be charged for very close to directly killing a service dog.

Service dogs maintain the same rules as police dogs. You injure or kill one particularly in line of duty you have broken the law.

I hope she is able to get a lawyer and contact the ADA.


This is horrible.

[2naSalit]

17. They seem to be showing us...

That we don't matter. They see us as an enemy, they have no desire to be helpful, too many are intent upon harming those they have sworn to protect.

[PXR-5]

21. Gastonia, Gateway to Charlotte.

Last edited Fri Oct 29, 2021, 12:32 AM - Edit history (1)

What is this like the 3rd or fourth horrible story this week out of NC?

I'm so ashamed I moved here.

Even SNL makes fun of Gastonia, it's a living hell.

I feel so bad for this guy, just a horrible story, and the poor dog! How sad.

[MontanaMama]

22. RIP Sunshine.

I’m so sorry, girl. You deserved so much better.

[niyad]

23. Lady of the Beasts, please deal appropriately with those responsible for the death of

Your little one, Sunshine. May they receive everything they deserve.

[Bayard]

24. Cruelty just for the sake of being cruel

Poor pupster! I know these service dogs are trained to withstand a lot, but I'm sure she was very confused and frightened by these monsters. Belgian Malinois are known for great intelligence and courage--qualities these cops did not have.

[Duppers]

26. Amen!

Also, the veterans association had to buy and train her.

"How Much Does a Belgian Malinois Cost? In general, an adult (trained) Belgian Malinois will cost between $45,000 and $65,000."

https://scottsk9.com/cost-of-owning-a-trained-belgian-malinois/

Sunshine was only doing what she was trained to do: protect "her dad." Poor girl.

He must sue!

[lpbk2713]

28. Someone in the Gastonia community created a GoFundMe page for Joshua.

Joshua and Sunshine were victims of bullies in uniform.


Link to story: https://www.wbtv.com/2021/10/23/just-smile-gastonia-community-rallies-behind-homeless-veteran-after-service-dog-found-dead/


GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-homeless-vet-reunite-with-his-dog-sunshine?qid=f4d5c865504b0d4f3694ec22cd92f874