Kara Michalic spoke to the Northwest Indiana Gazette tonight. As an animal rescuer, she is appalled that the Crown Point police shot two beautiful animals. The dogs, 3 1/2 year old sisters named Atka and Kenai, were family pets who had never shown aggression. Kara explains that they were with a family down the street from the incident just minutes before. That family gave them water and in exchange received affection and kisses from the pets. The Gazette has verified this via email and hopes to speak with that family tomorrow.
A review of the police report indicates that David Hawn, the property owner, demanded repeatedly that the officers “kill the coyotes.” The police report also indicates that the dogs were not acting aggressively. After the shooting, Mr. Hawn apparently called the Veterinarian who received the murdered animals to state that he wanted the animal pelts.
Kara explains that her stepfather was trimming trees when the dogs escaped from the gate. Google Maps shows the area as a residential area, bounded on one side by the Erie-Lackawana Trail and a nearby baseball diamond. Lots are in the 1/4 acre size range. Given the proximity of the bike trail, the baseball park and a golf course, it is arguable that the discharge of weapons is criminal. Questions remain as to the nature of the threat to human life and less lethal forces which could have been used. Did the officers have tasers?
The Gazette would like to hear from you. Do you believe the officers were justified in discharging their weapons in this instance?
UPDATE: There will be a vigil at 8:30 tonight at the Crown Point Square. All are invited to attend.
Northwest Indiana Gazette 
Any idiot knows these beautiful husky’s are not coyotes or wolves!!! These 2 police officers need to be educated, then need to turn around and be required to offer education to the public on what to look for and do. What a sad situation, completely disgusting.
I think there are several issues here. First off, my heart goes out to the dog owners. I sure hope they sue not only their local “Police Department” but also the cat owners as well & the City for NOT having practices in place & allowing such tragedy to happen. Those idiot “officers” are lucky that a bullet didn’t ricochet & strike a human, & unfortunately the cat’s owner’s!!! Second, okay the dogs got out which I own a husky whom has a wolf looking face, but is clearly a DOG WHY WAS THE CAT OUTSIDE??? Shouldn’t the cat have been inside as well so shame on you OWNERS (since you want to point ALL the blame). And third, WTH is a “on duty cop” doing listening to a civilian even if he is a “sheriff” himself? Fourth, unless all 3 cops & the 2 neighbors are 100% blind, I’m sure that as soon as the “officer (I’m using those terms loosely)” noticed those amazing huskies didn’t have their collars & tags, they also knew it was a canine, aka DOG & not a coyote!!! I think the jackass neighbor & the “officer” were in cahoots w/eachother!!! BTW, since the neighbor called & asked for their pelts, anyone have their # as I’m going to take the neighbors up to my rez & scalp them!!! An eye for an eye!!! IDIOTS!!!
You’re so right, Amber. If these people cared so much about their cat, it would not be allowed outside to roam in a neighborhood where there are occasional coyote sightings. Coyotes can be found just about everywhere now, it’s time for the CPPD to learn to recognize one. I’ve seen quite a few in other places I’ve lived and not one had the beautiful baby blue eyes these dogs had.
These police had no right to shoot these dogs who where not showing no aggression toward them at all. They should be investigated. My heart god out to the dogs owners!
If these details are true, this level of incompetence on the part of the police warrants firing. We don’t need more cops like this. Policing is hard work and these officers are apparently not up to the challenge.
As for the homeowner thinking these were coyotes, demanding they be shot, and then asking for the pelts. That doesn’t smell right. He needs to be investigated. What a horrible person to have as a neighbor.
Well said Mr. Krueger – Well said !!
THE POLICE ARE NOTHING BUT THUGS. TAKE AWAY THERE BADGES WHAT DO HAVE YOU GOT. THUGS. HOW THEY FIND THESE PEOPLE AND GIVE THEN A BADGE THAT MAKES ITS LEGAL TO KILL WHAT EVER THE WANT. NO DALT THEY WERE CAT LOVERS NOT DOG LOVERS. THEY SHOULD BE FIRED. AND HAVE THERE PETS TAKEN WAY FOR EVER..
All dogs that are loved and cherished should be contained in a private fenced area or kennel. No dogs should be allowed to roam the neighborhood. Dog owners who allow their dogs to roam the neighborhood are not being responsible dog owners and are placing their dogs in harms way.
The dogs were not “allowed” to roam the neighborhood. The cat was, and any loved and cherished cat would not be allowed outside.
i know not one responsible dog owner,nor professional breeder/exhibitor,that has not at least one time(usually several),had dogs that temporarily escaped, habitual offenders and those who allow dogs to constantly roam,are the exception,not the rule,…the nitz dogs were well cared for and maintained animals that accidently got loose,and were subsequentially killed,with the help of an over anxious neighborhood bully hell bent on getting the cops to believe they were coyotes,….
hahaha dog gone
your a heartless godless d8#^$^%^,certainly folks will be saying haha when your gone as well.
Trecia – did you even bother to read the article ?? The dogs got out for their first time while their owner was trimming trees !
2 huskys on 1 cat , the cat is still alive ?
Doesnt sound very aggressive to me unless this is 1 badass cat ? This is my opinon : the cat owner is affilliated with the city, throwing his weight around on a new officer to kill the dogs, CPPD will protect thier own.
Btw since when do police get involved in a real “dog n cat fight” last i remeber thats natural for dogs n cats to not get along. This is a very dissturbing
2 huskys vs. 1 cat and the cats alive and 2 pets are killed by police
Thoughts n prayers to the family of the huskys
Suspensions n penaltys to the officers responsible !!
I couldn’t agree more!
I so wish I had known about this vigil, I would have definitely been there.
Police have no right or requirement to kill wolves/coyotes, as they are not animal control or DNR. I don’t know how they think their reasoning is excusable. The officers in question will likely not be reprimanded whatsoever; however, if a K9 (police dog) were to get lose and shot by a citizen under the same pretense, that citizen would likely be sentenced to prison for the homocide of an “officer.” Such was the case for an Anderson, Indiana man who was sentenced to 12 years in February of this year for shooting and killing a K-9 unit. It’s sad that we, as a nation, are so concerned about gun control while our local governments continue to issue guns and badges to careless, power-hungry, incompetent men and women every year.
spot on correct my friend.
There has been a rash of police killing family pets in the absence of aggressive behavior.
Here is another example and there are many unanswered questions.
I, for one, have no confidence in law enforcement as they cover up for errant officers when there are clear cut mistakes.
A recent article in the journal of law enforcement noted an increase in innocent pet killings and warned police to reverse this trend.
Lawsuits can be costly to the city and the officers should be suspended or terminated if found to be over zealous in using firearms.
There does not seem to be justification here, no cat was found and if analysts shows no pepper spray on the dogs, then the police lied and should be terminated and prosecuted for animal abuse
Vicky, can you please contact me via my emai(ffmedic3@gmail.com)? Im sorry you missed the vigil last night, there will be more events in the future. We will NOT let this go! Thank you for all of your support and thank you to everyone for your comments!
Read this follow-up story too:
police are not judging these animals, in the past month i have seen three cases like this ,none of the dogs were agressive. what the hell is happening. give these officers some training.god know they need it..