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Seen a Rogue on the loose? |
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We've grown accustomed to breathless calls from animal rights activists, but this time we agree: The events in Hillsboro last week were truly alarming. On Thursday afternoon, Portland Police Officer John Hurlman, while jogging through a subdivision, pulled his city-issued .38 caliber revolver from his fanny pack and killed a 3-year-old yellow lab named George. Hurlman, a 33-year-old East Precinct patrolman, claims the dog charged out of the yard and snapped at him. His wife told Oregonian columnist Steve Duin that her husband acted out of self-defense. Witnesses, however, tell a different story. They say that although George bounded toward Hurlman, the dog's demeanor was friendly. As George's owner, Jane Scheidler, explains, the dog was used to getting treats and toys from fanny packs. Instead, he got a bullet. The Portland Police Bureau notes that Hurlman was carrying the gun legally and is thus far unperturbed by his off-duty jogging habits. Hurlman himself was back at work Tuesday, though unavailable for comment. (An East Precinct receptionist explained that he was training at the bureau's shooting range). Hillsboro police, however, are taking the matter very seriously. On Tuesday morning they turned over their evidence to the Washington County District Attorney's office. Deputy DA Susan Hohbach says the charges include two potential misdemeanors and a possible felony charge of aggravated animal abuse in the first degree. Hohbach says her office wants the police to do some more investigating before deciding whether to bring charges. The facts may eventually show that Hurlman did not commit any crime, but the evidence already strongly suggests that he had no business jogging with a loaded .38. |
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