Deseret News | Blame in West Jordan dog-beating questionable

Reader comments
Blame in West Jordan dog-beating questionable

The rest of the story | 7:18 p.m. June 20, 2009

Yep, when I first read the media accounts of this incident a few days ago I knew there was more to the story than what I was hearing.

Sure enough, it seems that sweet lovable dog isn't quite so sweet and lovable and the kid isn't quite so mean and violent.

Keep your dogs on a leash or in your yard and incidents like this won't happen.

Tom | 9:33 p.m. June 20, 2009

Leash laws are designed to protect both the public and the dogs and this situation would never have happened if the owner had bothered to obey the law.

opposing opinion | 3:38 p.m. June 21, 2009

There is never a good reason to brutally beat an animal or child. Yes, dogs can inflict harm, but this childs parents should've called animal control and they could've assessed the situation, issued citations to the owner. No excuse for taking matters into your own hands. If you know a dog is hyperactive, stay away period. You never enter onto someone elses property. Here in Texas, we have a cure for that.

Comments continue below

Drew | 1:49 p.m. June 26, 2009

It doesn't matter if the dog was not previously viscious ...for whatever reason a dog can pick up a scent, heat, being teased .. anything can set the dog off. Dogs should be on a leash if they are not in a gated yard.

Wondering | 1:50 p.m. June 26, 2009

Okay so this is about a teen and a dog but aren't some folks forgetting about the third party? The third party was the child that this teen assaulted. That child is really the only innocent party here. And the wonderful West Jordan PD hasn't done anything about that fact. I would bet some serious money that this small part of the incident will be completely overlooked during their so called "investigation".

Melissa | 2:14 p.m. June 26, 2009

I am related to the family with the dog... There are witnesses that were watching him and would testify to it that the dog didn't go anywhere near this boy until he called her over to beat her. I don't know what witnesses they are talking about. Anyone anywhere near that area that was outside we got statements from already. He also pushed my niece (who is scared to death now) and tried to pick a fight with my dad. Believe what you want but just don't be so quick to expect him to be telling the truth about what happened. Of course he wouldn't want to get in trouble.

?? | 12:08 p.m. June 27, 2009

why won't this let any comments through???

starz | 1:23 p.m. June 27, 2009

Where is my comment that I summitted?

Shaun | 5:40 p.m. June 27, 2009

It puzzles me that in the officers eyes there was no intent to due harm. According to witnesses the boy left the property for several minutes and if the dog truly was attacking him why did he return, then look for a bat or something to beat the dog. Why did he knock down the 12 year old trying to stop him ? Why did he confront Mr. Sweat and start taunting him. This doesn't seem to me like a boy who was fighting off a vicious animal. Come on West Jordan . Get it right

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