It's kind of hard to draw a conclusion from the video. I don't know exactly why they were raiding the house, and I didn't see the dogs or the behavior they might have been exhibiting.

I googled the name of the chief and this article below came up, it pretty much explains what happened. I could not bring myself to watch the video you linked.

Here is a link that might be useful: changes to be implemented in raids

Good grief. All of that because a guy was suspected of selling "illegal" plants. ::shaking head in disgust and amazement::

I watched the video, even though I was really, really nervous to because when animals are abused or mistreated, I can just never get the image out of my mind. But I have to agree with the earlier poster who said it was actually difficult to see on the tape exactly what was happening. What WAS easy to see was how horrible this was for the poor little seven year old boy who was there to see it all. There's a few moments on the video where the mother is trying to cradle the boys head and face to soothe him that is just heartbraking. This is a memory that will be seared into that poor child's brain forever. That moment changed who he is forever. Regardless of whether the police acted appropriately the parents of that boy put him in that position by doing something illegal... horrible.

I spent a good deal of time yesterday reading over the comments from the local online paper. It was revealing, to hear from locals who know more about the culture of their police dept. and know individuals involved.

It is rumored that the dogs may have been behind a gate and/or in a kennel in the kitchen. I tried very hard to see the dogs in the video and it did not appear that they were at the door when they broke in. I think that the situation could have been avoided and it should have been executed very differently.

I was discussing this with DH and it occurred to me that there could have easily been a human (even the child for that matter) alseep on the couch with one of those dogs, and the police did appear to come in with guns blazing. I think it's very interesting to read the points of view of the local people have posted.

I hope that those responsible are held legally accountable.

What WAS easy to see was how horrible this was for the poor little seven year old boy who was there to see it all.

Regardless of whether the police acted appropriately the parents of that boy put him in that position by doing something illegal... horrible.

This disturbed me the most.

The thing is, that I am not in law enforcement, and I have no idea what the proper protocol is, what the level of perceived danger was, etc. But I do believe that the parents most likely put that boy, and the dogs, in danger because of their criminal activity. Whether the crime warranted that type of raid, again, I do not know.

What bothers me is the death threats against the officers involved. If there was wrongdoing by the police, I hope that it is investigated and they are punished, but I don't like the vigilante mentality out there.