Judge: Barking at police dogs is protected free speech (in Ohio)

[Lucky]

this is a local decision in my town. Oh my.

link

 

[Dually]

I disagree with the ruling 100% as it is baseless. The dog isn't a reasonable person and may recognize the barking as a threat to the "pack" and seek to defend the "pack". Anyone who agitates a police dog is creating a dangerous situation for the public and laws should be made to protect the public. Barking at a police dog in my opinion is not free speach but fighting words.

 

[Lucky]

i tend to agree with you.

 

[Linflas]

Pretty sad that a precedent like this can be set by the actions of some mental midget that has nothing better to do than stand outside a police cruiser and torment a dog.

 

[rahvin]

Dude if I wanna bark it is free speech. It may not be words but that doesn't change the fact that it's speech and expression. If someone barking at a police dog makes the dog aggitated and dangerous maybe the dog shouldn't be around people because I bark at dogs ALL the time. I meow at cats, chirp at birds and make a lot of other noise as well. You gonna restrict those too?

 

[Toasthead]

Barking inst speech. Barking is noise. This is the sillest thing I have ever heard. So now dogs speak ( as implicated by the whole barking is free speech). Does that mean that if you bark at a dog, and it gets visibly upset, you can be held liable for harassment ( a violation of free speech)? I am would assume that if my dog is barking in the middle of the night and my neighbor tells me to quiet him down I can just tell him, It is my dog's right to free speech and you cannot force him to stop! Sheesh.



--Toast

 

[TerryMathews]

Originally posted by: Dually
Anyone who agitates a police dog is creating a dangerous situation for the public

So what are you saying? If I agitate a police officer and he/she hits me, I had it coming to me??

These police dogs are supposed to be trained, and are not attack dogs. If they are so violent that a little agitation upsets them than they do not belong on the street. If you or I do it, well then I can buy the "We should have known better" argument. What if a child does it?

 

[Double Trouble]

Barking may not be "speech", but it certainly is a form of expression, and the supreme court holds the freedom of expression inherent in the freedom of speech. Thus, if someone wants to bark at a dog, a car, whatever, they can do it. People are simply too willing to give up freedoms just because it's not something they want to engage in. I don't want to go around barking at dogs, but I certainly don't want the government restricting people's expression by mandating that they can't bark or make noises. Good ruling, it will be upheld on appeal.

 

[Toasthead]

Originally posted by: TerryMathews[/i
What if a child does it?

A child should be taught that if you taunt an animal you are asking for trouble, so this falls under the category you spoke of earlier 'should have known better'

If your 'expression' is clearly causing pain or tormet to an animal, police or not, you should be hauled in under cruelty to animal charges. Just because its a dog doesnt mean it doesnt have rights too.

--Toast

 

[notfred]

What if he had been shouting "hell no, we won't go!" at the dog? Would you all consider it free speech then?

I don't think the guy did anything wrong.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: rahvin
Dude if I wanna bark it is free speech. It may not be words but that doesn't change the fact that it's speech and expression. If someone barking at a police dog makes the dog aggitated and dangerous maybe the dog shouldn't be around people because I bark at dogs ALL the time. I meow at cats, chirp at birds and make a lot of other noise as well. You gonna restrict those too?

Rahvins nuts LOL


But Dually you know nothing about Police dogs. Deparments pay upwards of 10K for them for infalablity. They're not supposed to move until told by thier handler...total obidiance NO EXCEPTIONS. This case was power motivated by the policeman becasue he was being fvcked with and did'nt like it so he arrested the guy for mocking him and the dog. You know the type.

 

[Jzero]

But Dually you know nothing about Police dogs. Deparments pay upwards of 10K for them for infalablity. They're not supposed to move until told by thier handler...total obidiance NO EXCEPTIONS. This case was power motivated by the policeman becasue he was being fvcked with and did'nt like it so he arrested the guy for mocking him and the dog. You know the type.

The cop could easily have asked or yelled at the guy to stop before trying to arrest him.
I don't agree that this is protected free speech. This shouldn't even be at issue....

 

[JellyBaby]

All things equal it's rather fun to bark at dogs. Don't be so quick to lose your right to this cherished act until you've tried it. I also recommend howling. There's nothing quite like a good, long, loud howl at the moon, especially if it's from the heart.

 

[gopunk]

it is free speech, but aren't there laws against impeding police activity?

 

[Harvey]

Woof, woof, woof, woof!

 

[Entity]

Does that mean that the Baha Men are protected by the first amendment? Damn. :|

Rob