Officers subdue pit bull, man with shock gun during fracas

Chicago, IL -- A pit bull apparently is the first subject ever subdued by a Naperville police officer using a Taser gun.

Capt. Robert Marshall said officers responding to a domestic disturbance call Sunday were forced to use the Taser on the dog after it "came at them aggressively."

Tasers use compressed nitrogen to fire two probe-like darts that transmit an electric shock. The shock causes an immediate loss of muscle control that lasts about five seconds.

The nonlethal weapons can be fired up to 21 feet.

Marshall said members of the department's Special Response Team have been equipped with the devices for less than a year as part of a test program to determine their usefulness. Officers on that squad also carry the weapons while on regular duty.

Shortly after zapping the dog, police used the Taser on an 18-year-old Naperville man who resisted arrest during the same call, Marshall said.

Colin B. Czmiel of 822 Chancellor Court was charged with resisting a police officer.

Two sisters who are minors also were arrested during the fracas at 324 Westbrook Circle, although police did not use the Taser on them.

Marshall said a fight between the sisters triggered the incident.

He said it began after the girls' mother picked them up at the Naperville jail around 4 p.m. He said the girls got into a fight in the car on the way home that continued when they arrived at their residence.

Marshall said a 911 call was made from the home on Westbrook Circle, but no one would answer the door when police arrived.

Officers forced their way in because there is a history of disturbances at the address and a well-being check is required, Marshall said.

That's when the dog "lunged" at officers and was shot with the Taser, Marshall said. Czmiel was subdued with the same weapon a short time later.

Tim Czmiel, Colin Czmiel's father, said he did not agree with the use of the weapon on his son. He said the family is weighing its legal options.

"Their actions have not gone unnoticed," he said. "We'll let legal counsel determine the next step."

 

Good for them, using Tasers on a dog protecting it's home. Most cops woulda just shot it and said it lunged to attack.

 

I am very happy to hear that they did not just shoot the dog, for the dog doing its job.

 

All law enforcement agencies should be required to carry a Taser for situations like that; can save alot of good bulldogs that way.

KnOck