Law Enforcement: Stop Killing Our Pets!
WARNING: The video above is very graphic. It shows Codi, an innocent family pet who was executed by Rochester, NY Police officer Chris Burgstrom.
My name is David Vara (Davy V.), I'm a community activist in Rochester, NY exposing police misconduct and corruption.
For years, my work has consisted of being a voice for innocent, unarmed people who have been killed by the Rochester, NY Police department.
Now, I find myself being a voice for innocent family pets, dogs who are being executed by trigger-happy police officers.
In the last 7 months three innocent family dogs have been executed by the Rochester, NY Police department, the Gates, NY Police department and the Monroe County, NY Sheriff's department.
Despite me having held several rallies denouncing these injustices, and an outrage from the community, the killings of these pets is always justified.
Most recently, on Tuesday January 8, 2013 a beautiful 1 1/2 year old pit bull terrier named Codi was executed by Rochester, NY Police officer Chris Burgstrom.
Codi was lost, his owner was looking everywhere for him not knowing that his best friend had been shot.
To make matters worse, RPD officer Burgstrom hit Codi with his police cruiser then grabbed his shotgun, and hunted down the scared, injured dog and shot him in the back of the head.
Burgstrom then lied and said that Codi charged at him and other people.
But photos and videos DO NOT lie.
Codi was shot from behind.
Then, to add insult to injury, Rochester, NY Police Chief James Sheppard refused to release Codi's remains for an entire week, because he didn't want the public to see what his officer did to a lost, scared and injured dog.
What's sad is Americans donate millions of dollars every year to organizations such as the Humane Society.
The Humane Society has been silent each and every time an innocent pet has been executed by a police officer.
Which begs the question: What exactly is their purpose? Who exactly are they protecting? Innocent pets, or the police?
Throughout the United States, more and more innocent family pets are being gunned down by police officers.
This needs to stop.
I always say that police many times don't shoot because they have to shoot, they shoot because they want to shoot.
In Codi's case I know that Rochester, NY Police officer Chris Burgstrom did not have to shoot Codi.
He wanted to.
And the proof is that he made a decision to grab his shotgun from inside his vehicle before exiting.
His intentions were clear.
After I broke the story of Codi on my blog, I published RPD officer Chris Burgstrom's photo.
It is important that people see an officer who took the life of a beautiful pet and a best friend.
My goal is not to let Codi's story be forgotten as just another dog shot by police.
With your help, I would like to do the following:
Produce a short film which will include Codi's story as well as other innocent dogs killed by police.
Create more awareness about what people can and should do in order to protect their pets. For example, people underestimate the power of video. More homes should be equipped with some sort of video surveillance. Many shootings of dogs by police have been captured on video.
I would also like to do a seminar in a 'Town Hall" style setting where law enforcement comes out and listens to the stories of families who have lost their pets to police officers who have shot them.
I don't think that officers make the connection that it's not just a dog.
These pets are a part of people's families.
They are truly man's, and woman's best friend.
Please help me get these things accomplished.
I have the passion.
I just need your support.
Thank you,
David Vara (Davy V.)
