Actually, the dog DID have tags, but there was an error in the 911 system which prevented the officers from finding the name of the people tied to the number and they were not around when the officer called. I'm guessing she was out searching for the dog.

Considering I live with one of the great escape artists of all times, rivaled only by Houdini, I can't agree with Eno that the dog mostly likely wasn't tied. My Franny has escaped from a chain within a fenced-in-yard. I never leave my dogs unsupervised in the yard for an extended period of time, but, if _I_ run in to pee quickly while they're out, yes, it's quite possible for me to come back two minutes later and find... escaped convicts. It's rare, but, yes, it does happen, even to good, responsible, dog owners. Luckily, I can usually round everyone up within 5-10 minutes but... one time my cat slit the screen and escaped and was missing for a week!

And, who's to say the grandfather didn't notice the dog was missing? If my grandma's dog ran off, she would have to wait for my mom to get home to go look for it because my grandma is too frail to go running about, herself. But no one suggests my grandma shouldn't have her dog! (that furball is the only thing that keeps her alive some days)

Finally, I just don't believe the bit about not getting the dog to a vet. I don't know a single vet who won't do an emergency call, even if it is 3 in the morning. The officer reported he petted the dog as it died, so, that kills Eno's claim that it was vicious. I just don't understand why he didn't try harder. Then again, I'm the person who stopped for a groundhog that had been hit by the car in front of me and drove it to a wildlife rehab center (after being told at the nearest vets they didn't do wildlife but pointed me there).

Now, all that said, while I believe the officer was slightly callous, I don't think this incident should ruin his career, either. It seems he did have good intentions, overall. It doesn't sound like he got some kick outta killing the dog under pretense of "mercy", but, that he honestly believed he was doing the best thing for it. Basically, I don't want a sadist on the police force, but, this guy doesn't sound like one in the slightest. He shouldn't have lost his job over it.