We are deeply disappointed that the Metropolitan Police Department has decided to take no action against Officer Fike after his unjustified killing of Parrot in September, 2010. We had been encouraged when the department recommended criminal prosecution to the U.S. Attorney’s office, and we are mystified as to why, after the U.S. Attorney’s office declined to prosecute, the MPD did not take matters into their own hands. While Parrot did not receive justice from normal legal channels, we believe that justice is still within our grasp. We must continue to educate people regarding the realities of bully breeds. We must work to dispel the false generalizations that they are dangerous and evil. And, we must not stop pushing the MPD to properly train its officers on how to handle — and understand — dogs they encounter.
We are grateful for the immense outpouring of support from the community, and we hope that those of you who have been moved by Parrot’s death continue to pursue justice on his behalf by being bully breed ambassadors and by continuing to push police all over the country to improve their dog-handling skills.
———————————————————————————
UPDATE 12/22/2010
We have just heard from the DC office of police complaints and they have concluded their investigation. They have determined that Officer Fike was not justified in shooting Parrot, and have referred the case to the US Attorney’s office. We are very encouraged that the wheels of justice are slowly churning in the right direction.
—————————————————-
We wanted to update you all on where we are with the investigations into Parrot’s death.
We are aware of two ongoing law enforcement investigations — one by the Internal Affairs/Force Investigations Branch within the Metropolitan Police Department and another by the Washington Humane Society. Either organization can recommend to the U.S. Attorney’s Office that Officer Fike face criminal charges for his actions. Lucky Dog has also been independently gathering eyewitness accounts and other information related to the shooting, and is sharing that information with Internal Affairs and Humane Society investigators. We encourage witnesses to the incident to cooperate fully with these investigations.
According to a report in the Washington Blade, Officer Fike was recently placed on Administrative Leave, which we believe shows that the Police Department recognizes the gravity of Officer Fike’s violent and reckless conduct. In the event that the Police Department does not impose appropriate discipline internally, we are preparing a formal complaint to be filed with the independent Office of Police Complaints that demands such disciplinary action be taken. We are also examining other legal options.
As the case progresses, we will be sure to keep you informed of our efforts to ensure that there is justice for Parrot. Please accept our thanks for your amazing generosity and support in the wake of this tragedy.
We greatly appreciate all of the support and well-wishes from the community and will continue to work to provide safe homes for dogs in Parrot’s memory. If you would like to help Lucky Dog in this effort, please consider donating to Parrot’s Fund, which we have created in loving memory of this fantastic dog. Donations to Parrot’s fund will be used both to rescue “bully breeds” living in high kill shelters and to educate our community on the many wonderful attributes of these dogs.
****UPDATE******
Lucky Dog Files Official Police Complaint, for details:
If you would like to share your feelings about this incident with the DC Police, please email: Chief Cathy Lanier (cathy.lanier@dc.gov) Assistant Chief Patrick Burke (Patrick.Burke@dc.gov) Internal Affairs Captain Mario Patrizio (Mario.Patrizio@dc.gov)
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Remembering Parrot
UPDATE 11/10/2011
We are deeply disappointed that the Metropolitan Police Department has decided to take no action against Officer Fike after his unjustified killing of Parrot in September, 2010. We had been encouraged when the department recommended criminal prosecution to the U.S. Attorney’s office, and we are mystified as to why, after the U.S. Attorney’s office declined to prosecute, the MPD did not take matters into their own hands. While Parrot did not receive justice from normal legal channels, we believe that justice is still within our grasp. We must continue to educate people regarding the realities of bully breeds. We must work to dispel the false generalizations that they are dangerous and evil. And, we must not stop pushing the MPD to properly train its officers on how to handle — and understand — dogs they encounter.
We are grateful for the immense outpouring of support from the community, and we hope that those of you who have been moved by Parrot’s death continue to pursue justice on his behalf by being bully breed ambassadors and by continuing to push police all over the country to improve their dog-handling skills.
———————————————————————————
UPDATE 12/22/2010
We have just heard from the DC office of police complaints and they have concluded their investigation. They have determined that Officer Fike was not justified in shooting Parrot, and have referred the case to the US Attorney’s office. We are very encouraged that the wheels of justice are slowly churning in the right direction.
—————————————————-
We wanted to update you all on where we are with the investigations into Parrot’s death.
We are aware of two ongoing law enforcement investigations — one by the Internal Affairs/Force Investigations Branch within the Metropolitan Police Department and another by the Washington Humane Society. Either organization can recommend to the U.S. Attorney’s Office that Officer Fike face criminal charges for his actions. Lucky Dog has also been independently gathering eyewitness accounts and other information related to the shooting, and is sharing that information with Internal Affairs and Humane Society investigators. We encourage witnesses to the incident to cooperate fully with these investigations.
According to a report in the Washington Blade, Officer Fike was recently placed on Administrative Leave, which we believe shows that the Police Department recognizes the gravity of Officer Fike’s violent and reckless conduct. In the event that the Police Department does not impose appropriate discipline internally, we are preparing a formal complaint to be filed with the independent Office of Police Complaints that demands such disciplinary action be taken. We are also examining other legal options.
As the case progresses, we will be sure to keep you informed of our efforts to ensure that there is justice for Parrot. Please accept our thanks for your amazing generosity and support in the wake of this tragedy.
We greatly appreciate all of the support and well-wishes from the community and will continue to work to provide safe homes for dogs in Parrot’s memory. If you would like to help Lucky Dog in this effort, please consider donating to Parrot’s Fund, which we have created in loving memory of this fantastic dog. Donations to Parrot’s fund will be used both to rescue “bully breeds” living in high kill shelters and to educate our community on the many wonderful attributes of these dogs.
****UPDATE******
Lucky Dog Files Official Police Complaint, for details:
http://www.luckydoganimalrescue.org/lucky-dog-animal-rescue-files-an-official-police-complaint-regarding-parrots-death
****UPDATE*****
Check out Parrot’s Pals – some wonderful dogs that were saved using your generous donations to Parrot’s Fund!
****UPDATE*****
We’ve set up a blog where people can read about and share their memories of Parrot. http://inmemoryofparrot.blogspot.com/
If you would like to share your feelings about this incident with the DC Police, please email:
Chief Cathy Lanier (cathy.lanier@dc.gov)
Assistant Chief Patrick Burke (Patrick.Burke@dc.gov)
Internal Affairs Captain Mario Patrizio (Mario.Patrizio@dc.gov)
File a complaint: http://policecomplaints.dc.gov/occr/site/default.asp
Consider signing the Petition for Justice for Parrot:
http://www.change.org/petitions/view/demand_justice_for_dog_shot_at_dc_festival
News coverage of Parrot’s candlelight vigil: