A Frederick County Circuit Court jury has found in favor of the plaintiffs in the civil case filed by a Taneytown couple whose dog was shot by a sheriff’s deputy.
The Frederick News-Post reports that Deputy First Class Timothy Brooks violated the Jenkins’ rights under the Maryland constitution by entering their home without permission and shooting their Labrador retriever.
According to the Jenkins, Brooks and Deputy First Class Nathan Rector came into their home without a warrant or their permission while seeking the couple’s son in order to serve him a civil warrant. In their complaint, the couple said that their dog was not acting aggressively, and was not even facing the officer when shot.
The dog was not killed, and required emergency surgery to repair damage done by the bullet. The Jenkins turned down an initial $2,500 settlement offer to cover the dog’s veterinary bills.
In his police report, Brooks said the dog was approaching him aggressively, and that the Jenkins made no attempt to restrain the dog. The Jenkins say they were trying to bring the dog inside their home when she was shot.
