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-Lurid Crime Tales-
Officer suspended, refused to shoot skunk that bit child
2015-10-03
A police officer in East Tennessee was suspended for three days for refusing to shoot a skunk that had bitten a child.

The Kingsport Times-News reports that Mount Carmel police Officer David Dean violated department policy July 27 when he gave his service weapon to fire Chief Ryan Christian, who killed the skunk so it could be tested for rabies.

Dean, Christian and animal control officer Eddie Seabolt responded to a report of a 6-year-old child who was bitten by the animal. Seabolt says it was Dean's responsibility to kill the skunk. Mount Carmel prohibits animal control officers from euthanizing animals.

In a written statement, Dean said he told Seabolt it's difficult for him to shoot animals unless they're trying to eat him.

The skunk didn't test positive for rabies.
Posted by:RJ45ACP

#12  I put one through a swather once, it ruined my afternoon.
Posted by: Classer   2015-10-03 20:03  

#11  My dog Melvin tried to play with one. Baking soda, Dawn, and hydrogen peroxide pretty much took the smell out. Had to throw his leather collar away.
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2015-10-03 17:44  

#10  Don't care what it is, it bites in anger/aggression all bets are off.

Friend almost stepped on one last night in my backyard. They had a quiet acknowledgement of each other and each politely went their way. Fortunately his blue heeler was insider, and who would have definitely drew first tomato juice.
Posted by: swksvolFF   2015-10-03 17:39  

#9  Just a word of advice. Don't go gunning for skunk in your bare feet on a gravel driveway.
Posted by: Sven the pelter   2015-10-03 16:52  

#8  You should know a Smart Car is rare in his (red)neck part of the state.

Jus' sayin'
Posted by: BrerRabbit   2015-10-03 13:11  

#7  Not this time.
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2015-10-03 13:08  

#6   Deacon, did the police officer ask you to identify yourself?
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2015-10-03 13:06  

#5  Had a skunk fall into a window well once. I discovered no gov. worker will go near a live skunk. Animal Control - No, Police No, Fire - No, animal rescue - No, Hwy Dept - No unless they are dead and squished on the road - No No No No.
They all turn to wimps with skunks.
Posted by: 3dc   2015-10-03 12:04  

#4  Yeah well, but DeaconMan would you kill the skunk or take it home to a nice warm blanket?

Skunks make fine pets actually, especially if deglanded as it were.
Posted by: Shipman   2015-10-03 11:41  

#3  I'm not surprised. I was pulled over by a Mt. Carmel police officer 5 years ago for not moving to the left-hand lane when I saw he and another officer had pulled over a car in the right-hand lane. I asked if he say the 18 wheeler beside me in the left lane. He said it didn't matter (I drive a Smart Car)that it was a law in all 51 states to get in the left lane when a police car has someone pulled over in the right lane. I the had to pinch myself when another 18 wheeler flew by in the right lane and blew his hat off, all the while thinking, "51 states?". I the told him I knew the law and it also staed that if a driver is unable to move to the left lane he/she should slow down and move as far left as possible. He mumbled a few words and told me to go on after retrieving his hat.
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2015-10-03 11:01  

#2  Officer David Dean
Wasn't a man to be mean.
He wouldn't shoot even a skunk
Until it had chewed off a chunk.
Posted by: Shuting Gurly-Brown7975   2015-10-03 03:32  

#1  It did however test positive for lead.
Posted by: Steven   2015-10-03 02:28  

00:01