Distraught over dog's death, couple wants officer fired

[Honey]

A Texas couple, whose sick dog died as the pair waited along a Texas roadside while a police officer wrote them a speeding ticket, said they are not satisfied with how the officer involved was reprimanded and believe he should be fired.
Michael Gonzalez and his girlfriend were pulled over as they raced to an animal hospital, near San Marcos, Texas, allegedly at speeds up to 100 mph, Aug. 5. Gonzalez is seen on the police dashboard camera screaming hysterically that the dog, a 3-pound teacup poodle named Missy, was dying.
"It's just a dog, you can get another one," Officer Paul Stephens is heard saying.
"What I think is fair — I would just like to see the officer held responsible for the way he treated us," Texas State University student Michael Gonzalez told "Good Morning America" I feel that an oral [reprimand] really isn't a punishment at all. It's nothing really."
Though officer Paul Stephens' supervisors found him not guilty of misconduct in the incident, the police officer was ordered to undergo counseling.
"His world was collapsing. And what the officer says to him, basically is, 'I don't care,'" said San Marcos Police Department Chief Howard Williams.



The Back Story

Gonzalez and girlfriend Krystal Hernandez were trying to get Missy to an emergency pet clinic after she began choking on her food and struggling to breathe.
A distressed Gonzalez said he called a New Braunfels, Texas, veterinarian and described the dog's symptoms as he drove but had to pull over when Stephens flagged him for speeding.
The officer's dashboard camera captured a visibly emotional Gonzalez, who was shaking, franticly asking for aid for Missy.
"She's dying," Gonzalez said.
"Who's dying? Relax," Stephens said.
"My dog," Gonzalez responded.
The tape shows Stephens telling Gonzalez to calm down and reprimanding him for endangering other motorists with his driving.
"You're driving down the highway at 100 per hour," he said sternly. "It's a dog. It's OK. You can get another one. Relax."
Gonzalez, who admitted he was speeding, was shocked at the officer's response and said he believed the officer mishandled the situation and lacked empathy.

ABC News: Couple Blames Officer in Dog's Death

[McJag]

I saw this video. It was a nightmare. I hope his ass gets fired.

[AllieCat]

Damn, that sucks! That reminds me of the douchebag officer that wouldn't let the lady go when her dad was dying in the hospital. she had been speeding to get there. I hope his ass gets fired too.

[gogodancer]

The cop could have accompanied them to the vet and then given them a ticket. Sheesh.

[KD]

^^ ITA.

While it wouldn't be OK if he were going 100 MPH and killed someone, the cops surely could've used some compassion.

[ang]

wow, what a heartless person.

[yanna]

What a heartless asshole. I hope karma gets him.

[crumpet]

"It's just a dog, you can get another one," Officer Paul Stephens is heard saying.
I hope someone blows his fucking leg off. I'll be sure to let him know we can get him another one put on. Or, let one of his kids drop dead. He and his wife can always make another one of those,too.

[HelpMeRhonda]

Oh I would have left..he would have had to shoot me to stop!

[crumpet]

Thugs with badges.............wish I could say I'm surprised.

[Sweetie]

I got a ticket the other day while I was driving to the Dr. I get SEVERE stomach cramps, pass out, throw up and lose my mind at times. hehe. I had called and asked the Dr. for my medicine, since I was out, and he told me to go on down. I was on my way there and a trooper pulled me over, running 70, and he made me sit on the side of the road, all while throwing up, sweating, bent over double and unable to breathe.

Needless to say when I got back to work the next day I called and reported him.

I can understand the rules, but it was uncalled for. He even asked me "do you need some medicine?", "What is wrong with?" and even had the nerve to ask me "What Dr. are you going too?"

Bastard!

[KD]

^^
But if you pass out, should you have been driving? You don't want to get into an accident!

[AliceInWonderland]

i saw the video too; i want him killed. bastard fucktard asshole!

i cant imagine what was going through this poor little doggie's mind while he lay dying omg, im heartbroken now just thinking of it

please let there be a heaven for animals; they're so innocent in our mangled world...

[smf]

the police should of pulled them over cas 100 mph is way to fast but he also should of gave them escort to pet hospital so they can make it there safely and then write a ticket the guy seems pretty heartless and alot of police shouldnt be police anyways they just abuse situations imo very few good cops out there .

[Ava'sGhost]

As soon as he saw the little dog in distress, he should've helped them. Heartless asshole.... how cruel of him.