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PD: Officers Attacked, Great Dane Shot and Killed in Moodus

According to police, the dog attacked officers as they were making an arrest.

 

On November 10, 2012, Troop K police responded to a domestic dispute between a male and female in the parking lot of Hilltop BBQ and Steakhouse Restaurant in Moodus. Richard J. Blakeman, age 50, of Seymour became combative with investigating troopers, according to police.

During the struggle with Blakeman, a Great Dane that had been in Blakeman's vehicle exited the vehicle and attacked the troopers as they were attempting to arrest Blakeman.

According to police, as a result of the attack, troopers were forced to shoot and kill the dog. Two troopers were injured during the struggle, were treated for their injuries and released.

Blakeman was charged with breach of peace, interfering with a police officer and assault of a police officer. He is being held on $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Middletown Court on 11/13/2012.

Montys Friend November 16, 2012 at 04:07 pm
Monty was a wonderful dog. He was kind, gentle, and loving. He was not an attack dog in any sense of the word. Maybe not all of the people commenting on this are dog lovers, but show some compassion. Monty and his owner never got to see each other again. Monty was loved by many people. If Monty was sitting, he should not have been shot. He was too good a dog to go out like this, and as his friend, I am having trouble believing he would have acted out in that way. Please show some respect to the people hurting from this loss. RIP Monty.
Wendy Vincent (Editor) November 16, 2012 at 07:09 pm
There were no local law enforcement officers on the scene when the shooting occurred. The information provided in this article is directly from a police report filed at State Troop K Barracks, who responded to the 911 call placed about the domestic dispute.
The incident is currently under investigation. Just a friendly reminder to keep comments civil and not defamatory.
easiersaidthandone November 17, 2012 at 03:25 am
lol..which one arrested you in the past.?..lol !!
Chey Blakeman November 17, 2012 at 08:49 pm
I know Monty very well. And never in any bad way. Monty has attended funerals amongst tons of people. Family parties that never had less then a hundred people. And every family event there were always new people around. So there is no excuse if anyone were to say, well the dog was familiar with everyone. Because that is not the case. Our family always has new faces. Monty was a very gentle dog. And a great part of our family. And never have I once seen Monty act out. The Blakeman family mind you is not small. There are a ton of children at every family event, and never once was there an innocent or anything that could even give Monty a bad name. My honest opinion is the police not only were intimidated by his size, but were most likely surprised by Monty's loyalty to the ones he loves and protects. I believe the cops didnt want to give him a chance to counter act what was going on and stand his ground and protect someone he loves. Do I believe Monty would harm anyone or anything? No? Now if it was a little chihuahua that got out of the vehicle, would the officers have shot that too? Probably not. Which is unfair because any dog is going to protect its owner, it's family, and the people who care for him. Police dogs are a perfect example as well, an officers dog is going to protect him, does that mean the dog should be killed? ( Continued in next post. )
Chey Blakeman November 17, 2012 at 08:50 pm
( ...Continued. ) Police dogs have harmed people in many situations. Those dogs were never once thought to be put down or unfairly murdered. So why Monty? He was protecting someone he loved and cared for. Just like a parent would protect their own children. There is NOTHING wrong with that.
I feel the Police officer that shot monty was wearing his ego on his uniform. This is cruel and inhuman. People go to prison for animal cruelty. To me this isn't only animal cruelty but he broke the hearts of many people who know and love Monty. He caused an emotion tear on more people then he could ever imagine. And that's not right. Monty, You are and will always be a wonderful dog. You were so kind and pleasant to have around. I feel we should honor you like we honor all the heart wrenching deaths our family has fought in the last year. "Carry on Monty." Always loved && Never forgotten. <3
Matt November 18, 2012 at 01:39 pm
None, it's just a list from the East Haddam town web site. But if you read down below you would see none of them were there.
Matt November 18, 2012 at 01:42 pm
Well said, I am very sorry for your loss.
Robin Hood November 18, 2012 at 02:49 pm
As usual there are lessons to be learned from a situation.
First and foremost we are responsible for our actions, or at least we're supposed to be. If we caused a disturbance that resulted in the police being called we are responsible for everything, we initiated it. Naturally if the police shot the dog for no reason they are responsible, but if a 200lb dog charges at you you'd better react. The dog should not have been able to get out of the vehicle. If you are off your property your dog has to be under your control at all times, if they are in a vehicle they cannot have a window open etc that would allow them to get out. Even on your own property your dog or pet has to be under your control at all times, these rules apply to all pets, not just dogs. Anytime there is a disturbance pets should be taken away, you cannot tell how they would react
Objective November 19, 2012 at 12:44 am
Why don't you people who just continue to judge the actions of the State Troopers on scene go to Troop K and talk to the Trooper. Chances are, the situation wasn't easy for him either.... Stop listening to these idiots who don't have the guts to go to Troop K and ask the Trooper who took the shots what happened. If you loved the dog so much you must want the real story. As a dog owner, I know I would want to look into the face of the person who took the life of my pup and know whether he is an egotistical jerk, or whether he just did what he had to do. 15a Old Hartford Rd, Colchester, CT. Open 24/7.
Monty November 19, 2012 at 01:23 pm
@objective. Guess what? I did. There were 2 that shot him. (according to officer) The first shot went in his chest as result of Monty getting out of car and trying to interfere. After he was shot, Monty backed off and was circling 10ft away. (why not call AC now?). No. In stead, at this point Another officer came on the scene, saw one of his partners had a run in with the dog. My dad, who at this point must have realized what was happening, was calling Monty's name. Not calling for him to attack, or to come to him, calling his name as any one in an over emotional state would in a devistating circumstance like this. Monty took one step, officer shot him twice, one more step, shot him again as he crawled and placed his head on my dad.
Monty was still considered a threat after he was shot in the chest and clearly incapacitated to the point where he COULD have been tased. . According to the officer himself who shot first, Monty was not running toward them when he was shot up the second and third time. After he was shot the first time, their best judgement was to shoot and kill. Appearantly a taser would not have worked on him at that point. The officer told me hself that he could tell Monty wasn't an 'attack' dog in any sense.
Monty November 19, 2012 at 01:23 pm
There is nothing that can bring him back, but there could have been a chance he could have survived if they called animal control at that point. Their judgement of him being a threat, not able to be tased at this point, lies the discrepancy. I'm wondering when animal control was actually called? After he was shot dead?
Monty was 150lbs. and when he was shot dead he was not charging in any sense. I made sure to ask the officer when I spoke to him. I apologized to him for the whole thing, but Monty was better than that.
Matt November 19, 2012 at 01:27 pm
Speechless from reading this. Disgusted, heartbroken, and thoroughly upset. I didn't even know Monty but this really bothers me.
Monty November 19, 2012 at 01:39 pm
And, also, there is inconsistencies with reports. There was one officer who had contact by Monty, not 2.
And I agree with robin hood. The police saw Monty in the car. Why is it not protocall to have Animal Control come immediately. Did the situation call for absolute immediate reaction? Blakeman was sitting in his car. They could t have spared 5-10 minutes? I guess we all see what we want. The workers at the restaurant turned me away and looked at me like a piece of garbage. I pride myself in my ability to communicate, does anyone care about what happened? Or is all the focus just on the drunk man? I can't rest... Only hope Monty can.
Monty November 19, 2012 at 01:44 pm
I'd say it was a poor assessment on behalf of the officers. Think about it. Did they think the situation could have been diffused and Monty would be going home? No. They would have to go there either way, this should have been known by the officers when they first arrived. Right? I'm not an officer of the law, but is common sense a factor in police work? Do they assess the situation before, after, or during.
Matt November 19, 2012 at 01:46 pm
Apparently not. Shoot first, ask questions later.
Robin Hood November 19, 2012 at 02:56 pm
I seriously doubt they wanted to shoot the dog.
As far as Animal Control coming, no one can approach a situation including emergency personnel or AC etc until it is under control, they could become a hostage or injured, I am almost certain that is policy throughout the nation. My dad was an officer and my Uncle one of the top troopers in Ct, most would much rather be out helping people than getting involved in domestics, domestics are the worst situations to deal with. I don't envy them at all. Observor is right regarding going to the source, it might help.
ernie piatti November 19, 2012 at 03:03 pm
ENOUGH is enough MONTY the workers at the restaraunt did not turn you away and look at you like a piece of garbage!! I spent 15 minutes on the phone with you WE DONT have the answers you are looking for get it through your head YOUR FATHER created the whole incident he didn't even drink in the restaurant. Once again as I told you countless numbers of times on the phone I and all the staff that was traumatized by the incident created by YOUR FATHER not us. WE are very sorry for your loss you need to get the answers you are looking for from the police reports and YOUR FATHER. We don't have them
Monty November 19, 2012 at 03:43 pm
Like I said, does anyone care?  Thank you Ernie, for talking to me, I was not referring to you.   And yes, the general attitude I got from there was not welcoming, to say the least.   I understand your business was effected by it, but that is irrelevant. I was simply looking for the person who saw this happen. Obviously to you, the only thing that matters is why the incident happened in the first place. Well call me reality. So sorry to bother you.  In your mindset, this was ok. I get it. 
That's where we are different.  I understand your 'not wanting to be involved' attitude.  thanks
I met Monty multiple times when he was with his real "father" adn he was well behaved and calm and never once did I see him aggressive. This is heartbreaking. I am so sorry R that this happened
Objective November 19, 2012 at 07:25 pm
As accurately stated by Robin Hood, Blame your father. Fighting the State Troopers?? Good idea. I doubt you spoke to the Trooper who was forced to deal with your aggressive father and K9 that did bite and injure another Trooper.
Matt November 19, 2012 at 07:29 pm
"forced to deal with" - wait a second, isn't this the type of thing that lures people to the force? Action, intense situations, and danger? Officers live for this stuff, that's why they are in that profession. I am by no means saying they enjoy shooting animals, but let's not confuse the officer's duties with that of a civilian or the bar owner. This stuff is the allure of the career as an officer,
Robin Hood November 19, 2012 at 08:45 pm
I have always wondered why people think fighting or arguing with police or troopers is a grand idea. Of course when under stress or the influence one tends to not think.
Police and Troopers have sticks and mace and guns and radios they can use to call all their friends who also have sticks and mace and guns. This is known as the Kobayashi Maru, the no win scenario.
Monty November 19, 2012 at 08:51 pm
Actually, I did talk to the officer that directly dealt with my father and got bit. It was the same person. Words from his mouth still help me conclude that the other officer was not right in his actions. Is your doubt level still rising?
The officer that dealt with my father, and as a result, was being threatened by a naturally protective dog, was right in shooting him. As he did, once. I do agree and even apologized for it, as hard as it was.
Robin Hood November 19, 2012 at 08:52 pm
Any dog will turn agressive when they are surrounded by their pack and strangers who are all stressed and their adrenaline is flowing, dogs can smell it.
It is the responsibility for the dog owner to know this and keep the dog out of harms way, even if there were no police the dog should not have been able to do anything. I have had dogs forever and I am real sick of dog owners, most just get a dog and never learn about them or their potential, most are very irresponsible and do not realize it. We have a female rescue that does not like other dogs, we know this, we keep her on a leash and under control at all times. It does not help that every jerk with a pit or other type of dog thinks parks or a hiking trail is the time to let their dogs off leash, now we and they have no control over the situation, I therefore carry mace and I use it, I will stop it before it can start by macing your dog, your dog is off leash, you are legally responsible for everything that happens, everything.
Robin Hood November 19, 2012 at 09:38 pm
It's not a call I'd want to make.
You have a tense situation, on top of that you have an extremely large dog that has already bitten someone and been shot. Any animal that had been wounded and hasn't gone down is extremely dangerous, they don't understand what is happening other than their pack is under attack and they have been injured and are in pain. They are considered an extreme danger to everyone even their owners. The only recourse you'd have is if there was video and at best you could argue along with the ASPCA for a national policy regarding pets in these situations. Generally I'd say they'll ask the owner to keep the pet under control once, and they mean once, once the situation is out of control it's over.
Objective November 19, 2012 at 09:41 pm
Monty...u said the troopers should have waited for AC before dealing with your father?? i have a good idea...maybe your father should have got out of the car...manned up...and cooperated with the state police like an adult. the troopers were not expecting to get into a fight with your father...which caused the dog to react. grow up and accept facts...apparently its in your blood to not be able to take responsibility and accept facts. the dog only got involved because YOUR DAD was fighting the cops. your dad owes you a dog. end of story
Matt November 19, 2012 at 09:49 pm
"owes you a dog" - it's not like it's a toy, it's a family member. Most people with pets that they truly care about would agree 100%.
Monty November 19, 2012 at 10:54 pm
Fair enough. Observer. Be human and accept reason. You sound programmed pretty well.
If you haven't been following my posts, I am the one looking for and finding facts. And again, reality. Officers have to deal with the situation 'at hand'. Not how it should be. Now you think that my father was complying until he got out of the car? No. Anything else that I can reasonably counter? And ma'am, if I evade responsibility so well, what the heck am I doing wasting my time with you? I'm here to claim responsibility, and if I didn't, your ignorance would let you do NOTHING else but believe that my sweet Monty was something he's not. My responsibility is to make absolutely sure that he did absolutely have to killed in the way he did. Understand?
Robin Hood November 19, 2012 at 11:46 pm
You are not going to find what you are looking for.
There are no answers other than what happened, I'm sorry but there aren't. Everything has a Cause and Effect, I hope they still teach that. What you can do is look to educate people so that this never happens to them and their pet, but you have to be totally up front with the facts, you can't spin it. There is a lot to be learned here for pet owners, citizens, police and troopers. I can't say X because I wasn't there. I can't judge anything by anyone and I'm not, there are only a few truths based on what is known of dogs and past incidents. Once a dog is involved in a confrontation it is over, in a police situation there is no time to wait, because in the past wounded dogs have grabbed children and people and fellow officers have even been shot by fellow officers trying to control a wounded dog, its Pandoras box and job 1 is to shut it. Because there is no telling what a wounded animal will do they have to err on the side of protecting the people, if it ran and killed a child because it was wounded and in pain how would you comfort those people? It is a tragedy beyond the beyond, there is no winning if you shot the dog or not, if you wait and it attacks someone you're wrong, if you shoot you're wrong, there are no winners. This sucks but it goes back to where it initiated.
Monty November 20, 2012 at 03:00 pm
Thanks, but I guess there's nothing you can say to make me feel different. Even so, I can gather that there were no children close by. He was sitting there bleeding from his chest. And as I said before, the officer said he wasn't charging at all. He moved.
And by saying "it's over"' only says to me it's their 'choice' on how to diffuse that situation. You all do have valid points, but apply those to this scene. Half of the variables don't exist. And, I would expect to see a shot in his chest, and 3 in his ass. Does that make sense? Any sense at all to you? And, the info on Monty's wounds is a mystery right now. Noone has them. Noone knows where they are. Why? Again, for the final time. They did not have to kill him. That's it.

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