Should the police have arrested this woman?

[RadioFanatic]

http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Woman-allegedly-slaps-cop-during-fire-at-home-710842.php

I feel really bad for this woman. Should she have slapped the cop? No, however, she was justifiably freaking out bc her home was on fire and her three dogs were in the house (and yes they died). Couldn't they have given her a break and shown a little compassion? They even had video of her in handcuffs being taken away. Lose your house and your furbabies? let's kick you when you are down!

 

[Kim&Chris]

Wow, that's horrible.

I agree, she should not have slapped the officer, but I can totally understand how she must've felt. Knowing her dogs were burning inside the house must have been unbearable.

 

[tlbwriter]

I have a feeling we don't have the whole story. The woman had *at least* eight dogs, probably more. So it's possible she was an animal hoarder, and hoarders of any type often have some kind of emotional problem. Which makes me wonder if she was a lot more violent or confrontational than we think. Just some wild speculation on my part, but I'm having a hard time figuring out why anyone would arrest a woman in this situation unless she really went over the line.

 

[bored]

I thought slapping someone was considered assault. If I'm not mistaken assault on an officers is a little worse charge.

If he would have let her go back in and she burnt up people would be blasting the officer for not doing his job.

 

[Planogirl]

I have a feeling we don't have the whole story. The woman had *at least* eight dogs, probably more. So it's possible she was an animal hoarder, and hoarders of any type often have some kind of emotional problem. Which makes me wonder if she was a lot more violent or confrontational than we think. Just some wild speculation on my part, but I'm having a hard time figuring out why anyone would arrest a woman in this situation unless she really went over the line.

She apparently had four adult dogs and some puppies. She isn't necessarily a hoarder with just that amount IMO.

I feel sorry for her but she should have never hit an ofiicer. That's just asking for trouble.

 

[luvmy3]

To me it sounds like more than just a slap, from the article:
Weaver was charged with two counts of disorderly conduct, second-degree harassment and obstruction

 

[Jaime4004]

No one should assault anyone, police officer or not. However, if I were in that situation and being restrained from going into my own house to save pets, I would probably be fighting it however I could. It is my house and my life i'm risking. Though I understand the police officers side, as everyone is sue happy and it would somehow be his fault if she got back in and died.

 

[RadioFanatic]

Believe me, I'm in no way saying she should have hit the officer. What she did was wrong. All I'm saying is that, under the circumstances, unless she landed the officer in the hospital, I think a little compassion could have been given and not arrested her.

 

[indimom]

I'm fine with it. I seriously doubt she'll get into any real trouble unless there is more to the story than we know.

Whenever we hear stories about arrests "gone wrong" on the news my husband and I repeat again and again for our children that when a police officer tells you to do something: YOU OBEY!!!
You do not argue, you do not discuss, you do not try to explain, you obey. Period. You'll get your chance to tell your side of the story.

And, yes, I feel for this woman. But the police were there to get a job done and most likely she was hindering their efforts and putting herself and others at risk. If she ran into the house, chances are a fireman would have followed. Arrested, she is out of harms way, and not putting others at risk.

 

[MushyMushy]

I might have gone ahead and kicked him for good measure.

j/k

But you really don't know how you'd react knowing your pets are going to die in such an awful way. It's devastating. I was just a little girl, but I still remember my neighbors' grief when they lost their family home and beloved pet in a house fire. They were inconsolable.

 

[cm8]

I'm fine with it. I seriously doubt she'll get into any real trouble unless there is more to the story than we know.

Whenever we hear stories about arrests "gone wrong" on the news my husband and I repeat again and again for our children that when a police officer tells you to do something: YOU OBEY!!!
You do not argue, you do not discuss, you do not try to explain, you obey. Period. You'll get your chance to tell your side of the story.

And, yes, I feel for this woman. But the police were there to get a job done and most likely she was hindering their efforts and putting herself and others at risk. If she ran into the house, chances are a fireman would have followed. Arrested, she is out of harms way, and not putting others at risk.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Believe me, I'm in no way saying she should have hit the officer. What she did was wrong. All I'm saying is that, under the circumstances, unless she landed the officer in the hospital, I think a little compassion could have been given and not arrested her.

Sorry, but furbabies (though they are some people's "children") are not a reason to run back into a burning house. I'm sorry. It's a horrible, gut-wrenching, devastating loss, but isn't "leave your possessions (including pets)" the rule behind get low and touch doors before you open them? Now if I had a family member or friend still inside, yeah, I'd be losing my mind, but would never.strike.an.officer.of.the.law.

My dad is a retired fireman and I would have gotten my butt beat for trying to go back after a pet. Then my grandpa (retired policeman) would have come back from beyond to beat my butt for hitting a cop!

No way, no excuse for that.

 

[tiggger1]

http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Woman-allegedly-slaps-cop-during-fire-at-home-710842.php
(and yes they died).

according to the article only 2 dogs and 2 puppies died ( not that makes a difference). .they were able to rescue 2 more adults and some more puppies

 

[Geoff_M]

Yes, she should have been arrested... there's no excuse to assault a cop giving a lawful order. However, I think that you could argue that it may be in the interest of justice to have the prosecutor not pursue the charges and let her punishment be the experience of getting cuffed and having to spend a little bit of time in the clink before posting bail.

 

[indimom]

I might have gone ahead and kicked him for good measure.

j/k

But you really don't know how you'd react knowing your pets are going to die in such an awful way. It's devastating. I was just a little girl, but I still remember my neighbors' grief when they lost their family home and beloved pet in a house fire. They were inconsolable.

True, and I really do feel for the woman. I have family with housedogs they have had for years and they would feel the same. No doubt.

Yes, she should have been arrested... there's no excuse to assault a cop giving a lawful order. However, I think that you could argue that it may be in the interest of justice to have the prosecutor not pursue the charges and let her punishment be the experience of getting cuffed and having to spent a little bit of time in the clink before posting bail.

I also agree with this. I really don't think she deserves a traditional punishment, jail time or fine. I'm guessing that getting arrested served its purpose and got the point across. There are some lines you do not cross, it's in your own best interest.

 

[Heidict]

It's hard to decide on this one because it really depends on how the hit happened. Was she struggling to get back into the house and the "hit" was more accidental then anything or did she purposefully hit him with that intent?

I can imagine that she was overly emotional and in a state of panic, but that is still no excuse to hit a cop intentionally.

 

[Cooky]

.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

There is no such thing as "benefit of the doubt" when you hit a police officer.

 

[MickeySP]

I am betting the charges get bounced due to the circumstances.

Who knows maybe he did it to remove her from the area, so she could calm down, rather than standing watching the horrid scene. She may also been trying to interfere with the FD. If she had run in, while it is her life, some FF would have had to go in after her - so she would have been risking others too.

And aren't we always saying there is no excuse to lay your hands on someone. It was not ok, maybe understandable but def not ok.