Investigations Ongoing In Deputy’s Alleged Shooting, Killing Of Neighbor’s Dogs
Updated 1-8-20 to include Sheriff’s statement regarding McDaniel’s leave of absence
Homeowner Describes Her ‘Living Nightmare’ After Sunday’s Incident
By Leah Williams
Authorities are looking into a shooting incident that occurred on Sunday, January 5, and involved a Washington County Sheriff’s deputy who shot and killed two dogs before dumping their bodies in the woods.
Jennifer Akers said she had been searching for her dogs Bentley and Ella for a couple of hours when two of her neighbors, one of whom was Deputy Craig McDaniel, approached her car window. She said McDaniel was in uniform and had his squad car at the time of the encounter.
Both the neighbors had told her that the dogs had been shot twice and placed in the wooded area nearby.
“This is a living nightmare,” Akers said. “If he had just come talked to me or said their names, they would have just wagged their tails and licked him.”
Sheriff Len Campbell said on Wednesday, January 8, that McDaniel had been placed on paid administrative leave pending the results of an outside agency.
Akers said there had been no prior incidents or complaints about the dogs’ behavior from any of her neighbors. She said McDaniel told her that the dogs were shot because they were chasing cattle.
Akers described both of the dogs as mild mannered, ones who never showed any kind of aggression to anyone. She also wonders why they would have been chasing cattle when neither of their paws were muddy.
Bentley was 7 years old, and Akers said her family received Ella last Christmas as a gift for her now 6-year-old daughter. The pup was a rescue from Clinton County Humane Society, Akers said.
Akers also explained that she made the original post on Facebook because she wanted McDaniel to be held accountable for the killing of her daughter’s dogs. Her daughter was also reportedly in the car when she heard about her dogs’ death.
She said the whole incident has been traumatic for her, and the girl woke up crying and screaming for “her best friends.”
“I just want her to know that we did everything we could to get justice for her,” she said. “Justice for her dogs, her best friends. When you live out in the country, your pets are your best friends.”
Akers also said she was thankful for all of the support that she has received since she put the original post on Facebook Sunday evening.
Campbell said his office has been made aware of the incident and it has been handed over to an outside agency “for the purpose of objectivity.” The outside agency is Perry County Sheriff’s Department and the office has been authorized to provide any further information until the investigation is complete.
“They are on it,” Campbell said.
I am ready for the real story to hit. Akers did in fact let her dogs run loose all the time. She had no business owning a pitbull. She obviously doesnt understand that a pitbull on the loose is going to find trouble. Pitbulls are used as catch dogs for wild boar because they have ultra high prey drive and determination. Just because they are good at their house doesnt mean they will be on someone elses farm. Another news flash is Akers is NOT neighbors with the Tiemans. They live a mile apart. If everyone within a mile was a neighbor the I would be neighbors with most everyone in Woodlawn. Another bit of information is those dogs tried to attack another man before they went to the Tiemans farm. The man had to use a shovel to hit the dogs in the head several times to keep from being mauled. Akers has been less than honest from the start. My hope is that the Sheriff has the courage to call out the falsehoods in this narrative when he a clears the deputy. What Akers has done to the farmer and the deputy in this case is inexcusable. She had pitbulls, it was her job to keep them in her yard. She failed at her job because she just let them run loose. The farmer and the deputy had to protect the livestock and themselves. This case was over before it started. Akers falsehoods should be exposed and she owes some money for defamation of character and should be ticketed for having vicious animals at large.
I guess there is no animal control for this county, Oh, wait, there is. He should have used the proper department to “dispose” of the dogs. Another power drunk badge wearing nazi. Next time it might be a human laying dead in the woods because who needs due process?
he is a piece of shit i have had dealings with this pioece of shit. hes matt dillion
I am ready for the real story to hit. Akers did in fact let her dogs run loose all the time. She had no business owning a pitbull. She obviously doesnt understand that a pitbull on the loose is going to find trouble. Pitbulls are used as catch dogs for wild boar because they have ultra high prey drive and determination. Just because they are good at their house doesnt mean they will be on someone elses farm. Another news flash is Akers is NOT neighbors with the Tiemans. They live a mile apart. If everyone within a mile was a neighbor the I would be neighbors with most everyone in Woodlawn. Another bit of information is those dogs tried to attack another man before they went to the Tiemans farm. The man had to use a shovel to hit the dogs in the head several times to keep from being mauled. Akers has been less than honest from the start. My hope is that the Sheriff has the balls to call out the falsehoods in this narrative when he a clears the deputy. What Akers has done to the farmer and the deputy in this case is inexcusable. She had pitbulls, it was her job to keep them in her yard. She failed at her job because she just let them run loose. The farmer and the deputy had to protect the livestock and themselves. This case was over before it started. Akers falsehoods should be exposed and she owes some money for defamation of character and should be ticketed for having vicious animals at large.
Agreed^
If they had been mine….a WHOLE different scenario would have happened.
Haha Cop Hater Above^
Let the investigation proceed. It sounds too me like there is a rush to judgement and I have no iron in the fire. I was bitten by two other species of dog at a judges house, a judges house. That judge also told me that their dogs did not bite. Animals away from their owners are different creatures. It looks as though an outside agency is investigating. One side of the story is not good enough for me to pass judgement. I’m sorry for the little girls loss.
Ok I’m reading these messages and just keep seeing pit bulls in CAPS , a breed is just deemed vicious it’s how they are raised , and as I look at the above pictures do t seem like harmful dogs as usually vicious animals are sketchy around children and other animals , My opinion and as above gas prices the points here , you see 2 pit bulls and see fit to shoot because if a reputation the breed has , One thing needs to be made clear as it’s seen all the time pit bulls do t have homes , pit bulls do t get adopted usually put right down when it animal shelters , Why because a HUMAN felt it was needed to fight them or make them mean , a reputation these dogs should not be born with , I have a pit and 4 children and never no problems , and I live in the country and again no issue , these dogs was family and a HUMAN seen them and the breed and felt a threat because of what they are , NOT what they was doing , chasing cattle 😂 now did this kind so called man clean their paws after shooting them , or here’s a better idea being a man of the law , call 911 ain’t that what we told to do when we are feeling threatened or having issues , A cop pulled a gun and shot and killed these pets , When all can agree that shooting the gun In the sky would of scared these pets just as easy , This makes me sick and to the ignorant people with the PIT BULL comments it’s a breed not these peta lifestyle , have a lively night while this family morns the loss of family members
This doesn’t sound like the kind of individual that should hold a position of authority which allows him to pull over, be alone with, and make judgement calls about our children. Pitbull or peekapoo; who hides a body in the woods? Oh yeah, murderers do!
This is why it is so important to make sure your dogs (especially blood sport or fighting breed dogs like these) don’t ever “accidentally” get loose, not ever, not once. They are a zero tolerance for “mistakes” kind of dog, if you really care about them. It is absolutely the owner’s responsibility to keep their pets safe, and they failed at that. These pets are of a type of dog absolutely notorious for maiming and killing animals. I’m not surprised these dogs were shot for harassing cattle. Where I’m from, that is just common sense and common practice. Almost everyone carries and if you catch a dog worrying your livestock, on your property, you just shoot it. Everyone knows this. I’m sorry the family is so sad, but this is really and truly totally on them, 100% their responsibility. This was their carelessness. You never know what your dog would do if it gets loose. They need to own this and do better next time.
Thanks you !!!! At last, another voice of reason and common sense !!!
I have had personal dealings with this so called officer, most people that I have talked to have nothing good to say about him. he shouldn’t have the right to carry a gun or badge it is scary.
Have you ever owned a pit? And by the looks of them the are not full blooded pits. The black and white one doesn’t even look like a pit to me. Some terrier yes but not pit. And dog are how the are raise mostly. Not the breed. I feel sorry for the little girl.
Agreed^
This officer should be stood down immediately. What sort of evil person does this?
Wait for the investigation to finish please^
This should of NEVER happen, it was wrong. Animal control or an animal rescue should 9f been called this is and always should be done. This innocent child is horrified and hurt because 2 so call humans policemen killed her pets. They should both lose their badges.
Two pit bulls loose on MY property ?? Chasing MY cattle ?? Sorry Very little sympathy here
Agreed^
Get that jerk deputy out of the department. Did he see the dogs chasing cattle? Sounds to me he is a cold hearted, good for nothing scum of a human. Not that the dogs can be replaced, he still should be held responsible to pay for any cost for the family to replace the pets. JERK
Rush to judgement^
this guy is a real creep, I have had dealings with this idiot
There are no words strong enough for this DISGUSTIG ACT of CRUELTY!!! I’ve cried for this little girl……
Sure there are I can give you eight of them KEEP YOUR “PET” PIT BULLS ON A LEASH !!! Good enough ??
Dogs shot twice??? Must have been pretty close to do that. Bodies dumped in the woods??? Something’s not right here. Looks to me like they got caught and were trying to cover their tracks.
This officer needs to be fired from the sheriffs office!! Held accountable under the news laws just passed for animal cruelty!! All guns need to be taken away from this individual indefinitely!! Officers of the law should be held to a hire standard since they are sworn to uphold the law, and should be punished in such a manner. Not given special treatment!!!
Innocent until proven guilty^
One has to wonder if they can be that cruel and heartless towards two family pets, what amount of cruelty they would be willing to inflict on humans? Especially a police officer sworn to protect the public!
PIT BULLS are not your typical “friendly family pets” they are kept by drug dealers and thugs And after reading her pathetic posts, I’d not be surprised if either applied
Chris…….you And ALL others like you are the reason people like that ignorant cop gets away with shit like this…. You spew a whole bunch of nonsense claiming that pit bulls are so mean and awful when in reality the ones that have attacked were either provoked or the OWNER trained them that way. Open your mind and do a bit of fact checking before you open your mouth. And to suggest that the family was probably drug dealers or thugs…….wow just wow. People like you believe you are part of the solution when in reality your part of the problem. I bet you didn’t know they have targeted multiple different breeds of dog the same way they are pit bulls and it’s unjustifiable. This cop not only murdered those dogs but hid the bodies in the woods. And you are really gonna defend him. He should get fired, and charged with the felonies he committed. Animal cruelty and unlawful discharge of a firearm. And as far as you go, do some soul searching before you open your mouth.
Another cop hater comment^
I live in the area, and know this idiot he takes advantage of carrying a weapon no one has any thing to say nice about him.
Fire them! Make them pay restitution and set it up so that if either of them ever hurts another animal, they spend at least 20 yrs behind bars.
Why give him a chance to harm a second time? Honestly, after killing one dog, the second one probably wasn’t “chasing” cattle anymore. It probably stopped to help it’s buddy. I doubt they ever were to begin with. This is animal cruelty which Is consider a Felony by the Federal Government as of fall 2019! Take his badge, take his guns, and feed him to the wolves! Then he’ll have better understanding of an aggressive animal.
Two FULL GROWN PIT BULLS, who didn’t “slip their leashes” but are allowed to roam whenever they want (I live nearby, so unlike many of you I DO know the story) They may have been “the sweetest family dogs ever,” but maybe that was limited to THEIR FAMILY !! Were ANY of you there ?? Do ANY of you “animals first, people last” crowd have any FIRSTHAND information of what happened ?? Or are we doing another “partisan impeachment” in this country, because we don’t like what we THINK we know happened “My whole family is devastated” ???? Get a grip psycho, and keep your PIT BULLS restrained as required BY LAW !!!
Oh no a tRump lovers too,😄😄😄😄