Police Dog Killer Gets Life Without Parole
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Vancouver, Washington (May 20th, 2009)
A man who shot and killed a police dog in October 2007 has been sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole by Clark County Superior Court in Vancouver, Washington.
The man's previous convictions of the second-degree murder of a drug dealer and second-degree assault contributed to the triggering of Washington's "Three-Strike" rule (formally known as the "Persistent Offenders Accountability Act"), which imposes sentences of life imprisonment for repeat offenders. Harming or killing a police dog is a class C felony, which does not count towards this act, but prosecutors charged him with a firearms crime.
Ronald Chenette was chased by a police SWAT and K-9 units in October 2007 after a friend notified them that he had been drinking and was carrying a hand-gun. In the pursuit, Chenette shot one of the dogs in the head, before being brought to a halt by a second dog. According to the Seattle Times, Chenette told the judge that he wished he's killed the second dog. His lawyer told the court that Chenette was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2000 and that he had not been taking his medication prior to the incident. He also expressed hope that the case would get society to consider how mentally ill people are supported.
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I agree with eviemarie!! These people don't belong in society and there are no excuses for doing what he did!!
I think he got what he deserved!
In situations where there's a CONVICTED CRIMINAL that has a gun, has been drinking and threatening civilians, a police dog knows and SENSES danger.
This criminal got what he deserves. My heart goes to the partner of this heroic canine, who gave so much to our society, keeping the streets safer, and got killed on duty. RIP.
This case is a no brainer with his comment about wishing he had killed the second dog too but it is a natural thing to defend yourself against an attacking dog, police or not. My brother was attacked by a police dog in a case of mistaken identity and he had to have over 50 stiches in his legs and arms to close up all the damage from the dog bites. How can you not defend yourself when a dog is attacking you? I was attacked by a dog when I was younger and it was terrifying and very painful. This guy deserves what he got as it seems he is happy about his actions but in the normal encounter between police dog and criminal (or innocent bystander) what is the person supposed to do? Lay down and pretend it isn't happening?
from the news report it sounds like this man has no remores for killing the k-9 and yet hes playing the im mentally ill feel sorry for me boo hoo. he knew what he did he did'nt care.he killed a cop 2 legs or 4 legs no difference to me. put him in a deep hole somewhere with howling dogs all around.
I agree, he should get sentenced to the fullest extent of the law, he took a life and there is no excuse for that. My heart goes out to the Officer that lost his K-9 Partner.
What a can of worms. I have spent my life rescuing animals. I have also been an advocate for the mentally ill. Schizophrenia means your mind is a shambles. No one causes it. Unfortunately, a sick mind cannot recognize that it is sick. I am forced to admit that the only way heinous crimes like this caused by the mentally ill can be curtailed is to force medication. My heart bleeds for all involved.
I completely agree with the decision to put this man away for life. Life is precious whether it is a person or animal. When you show total disregard for another life then you deserve to be put away to keep others safe.
I fully support the judgement. Our police dogs lay their lives on the line. Thank God the nut is off the street for good!
Hail to our police dogs!
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paranoid schizophrenia is a mental illness and sadly some of them do not stay on their medication. I agree that without the medication he is a danger to society and himself. It is just a sad situation. My concern tho is that people have killed and chopped their victims up and thrown them in the river and they get 15 to life, and then paroled. Sex offenders are paroled and they very seldom change. Pedifiles don't change, yet they are let out to do the same thing to another child. I think they should all receive life without parole, just like the dog killer.