ohmidog!

Comment from KateH
Time June 9, 2011 at 12:36 pm

I just find it absolutely impossible to believe that no one else going into the IHOP during the morning and rest of the day, didn’t notice the dog in a car with the windows rolled up. Was his car parked all by itself, away from every other parking spot used by others? No one said anything to anyone at the restaurant in all that time, or called the police on their own?

And yes, the owner was a fool, but I do not believe that he never said anything about his dog – that’s just ridiculous. Since police departments everywhere deceive the public about their missteps, simple to egregious, I do believe, 100%, that the officers he spoke to ignored him on purpose. Whether they were to lazy or too nasty, they should be held accountable for not checking the guy’s car before they left the IHOP. The should have checked for insurance and registration, which are generally inside the car. Just because he wasn’t behind the wheel when they arrived doesn’t mean he wasn’t driving drunk, since IHOP doesn’t serve alcohol. What if he’d hit someone? What if his vehicle was open, unlocked, or parked stupidly? Why didn’t they at least check for an open container? At the very least, they should have called the restaurant and asked them to check if the guy was telling the truth about there being a dog in the car – as if he’d bother to make that up! Yes, stupid owner, but shitty cops, and blind, uncaring patrons all killed Rex.

Comment from smoketoomuch
Time June 9, 2011 at 1:37 pm

Seems pretty clear to me… Irresponsible owner, uncaring cops. Result = deceased dog.
I hope they all sleep well tonight, and on many successive nights to follow.
RIP Rex. You deserved better.

Comment from vida
Time June 9, 2011 at 6:25 pm

I know the owner was remiss for getting drunk but I guess I tend to hold the police more responsible, they were stone cold sober, just mean.

Comment from Anonymous
Time June 10, 2011 at 7:21 pm

Lying cops…..not a surprise.

Comment from James FitzGerald
Time June 10, 2011 at 7:27 pm

Sounds like the cops were just as drunk – on their own power. And that is frankly infinitely more dangerous.

Comment from darlene Laycock
Time June 10, 2011 at 8:09 pm

I have contended from the very beginning that there were many factors that led to the death of this precious animal.I in no way condone drinking and driving.Since that did happen the owner of the dog has been charged for his wrong.I too am bewildered as to how no patron or employee at the IHOP noticed Rex.But I am convinced that The Police are to be held at a higher standard than any of the above mentioned people.They are paid and sworn to hold that standard.It does not matter to me if the owner mentioned the dog or not.Although I believe that he did.Even if the Police felt they were in violation to go into his car: The car they didn’t know about and then whoops they did..They still would not have been in violation of walking around the outside looking for signs of hit and run,Running the tag number to rule out stolen vehicle,Shining a flashlight inside to look for open containers,drugs,another passed out person,or quite possibly a dog.There is no other way to see this as anything but gross negligence on the part of the Police.Why would they assume if the IHOP did not want a drunk combative man there they would want him there later to get his vehicle ??It is very out of character for the Police to show no interest in a perpetrators vehicle.On my own I asked a hypothetical question to eleven different officers:If you arrested a person for public intoxication and you knew his/her vehicle was in the parking lot would you check it for at least a tag run and all eleven said yes.I am not surprised at the recanting of their story about first not knowing about the car and then whoops we did.I am also not impressed by the officer being on administrative leave.(which I consider paid vacation) I feel that was to calm the public while they build a cover for him and build a case against Mr.Grimes.I think it is shameful that a drunk/combative man can admit on public Television his intoxication and remorse yet these officers cannot have the courage to own up to their failed responsibilities.There should be no double standard here for them.At the time the officers took over the situation the whole situation was theirs.They either showed gross negligence in the matter or cruel and unusual punishment towards a prisoner and an innocent animal.Their superiors should think long and hard before making a decision in the investigation as this case will not be forgotten at vote time for Sheriff.I sincerely hope that when Justice for Rex says we will not stop until we find that Justice that we will continue into campaign time for elected officials.The owner will have his day in court and receive his penalty…The Police should receive theirs also.At the very least they left a scene of arrest not secured.Consequentlty causing a death.

Comment from Heather
Time June 10, 2011 at 10:52 pm

Here is an email I got from the Sheriff’s office after I wrote them a very nasty letter……………………………………………..

We have received numerous e-mails, telephone calls and other correspondence regarding this tragic incident from around the country. Please be assured that the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office takes these allegations very seriously.

At this time the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an internal and criminal investigation to determine the facts of the allegation.

Back on May 31, 2011 two Loudoun Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a restaurant in the 46800 block of Cedar Lake Plaza at approximately 5:08 a.m. for a report of an intoxicated subject who was seated and asleep at a table. The responding deputies attempted to converse with the subject, later identified as a 24-year-old Herndon, Virginia man. After receiving little or no response the deputy asked the subject to stand up. He refused multiple times and became combative and verbally abusive towards the deputies. At this time the deputies attempted to take the subject into custody. A brief struggle ensued inside the restaurant and the subject continued to resist verbal commands to place his hands behind his back. He was eventually taken into custody. Deputies asked the subject multiple times how he arrived at the restaurant. His answers were nonsensical. He was taken to the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center where he met with a Loudoun Magistrate and continued to be combative. Upon being booked into the Adult Detention Center for drunk in public and obstruction of justice (resisting arrest), he remained uncooperative and refused initially to make any phone calls. Later in the afternoon, the subject met with the Magistrate again and was held on a $2500 bond. He was released later that same evening.

We have determined at this point in the investigation that the arrestee did have a vehicle parked across the parking lot of the Cedar Lake Plaza. It is not agency policy nor does the agency have the legal authority to impound or search a vehicle in a case of this nature.

Due to his combative nature, once he was secured by Sheriff’s Deputies, he was immediately taken to the Loudoun Adult Detention Center. At this time our records and subsequent interviews show no indication that the arrestee mentioned a vehicle or a dog in his vehicle to the arresting deputies, the corrections staff at the Adult Detention Center, the Magistrate or independent witnesses.

We wish we were made aware that a dog was in the vehicle. We wish the arrestee had afforded the agency the opportunity to find the dog by telling us he had his pet inside his vehicle. Unfortunately this does not appear to be the case.

Loudoun Sheriff’s Deputies often respond to animals left in vehicles throughout the year. Our deputies have the authority to enter the vehicle, by force if necessary, to assist any animal that is believed to be in danger. We wish we had been afforded that opportunity on this day.

Any thought’s??????????

Comment from Betty
Time June 10, 2011 at 11:14 pm

There was a car window between an animal and any person that saw the dog in the car. It wouldn’t be the first car window I broke and rescued a dog and a couple of babies. It won’t be the last either. I will deal with the after math. A broken car window can be replaced, A LIFE CAN NOT BE REPLACED. I am 66 yrs old and have saved animals since age 10. Its a no brainier. Saving a life either animal of humor is very important. Don’t take your pet with you if drinking, shopping or eating out and even traveling. You are the owner and you are responsible for the care of your pet. Rex paid the price for a lot of stupid screw up by human beings. It doesn’t matter who is at fault here. Rex is dead. If his owner had left him home in a safe place he would be alive. If his owner wasn’t drinking he would be safe. If the police would of open the car doors he would be safe. However Rex is dead and paid the price for humor errors. Doesn’t matter who is at fault. Rex is dead.

Comment from Dana
Time June 10, 2011 at 11:41 pm

I am not surprised the police department is attempting to shift the blame. Then they want to say we are wrong to blame them, the owner, or Ihop employees and customers. Well, I have the right to blame whoever I want, and I blame them ALL! Someone is to blame and until someone steps up and accepts that, they are all to blame! Before you all start screaming at me, I am speaking of those that were there. Those that heard him telling the officers about his dog. The fact that the police departments story has changed from not even knowing about the car, to yes, we knew about the car, tells me they are liars and will say anything to shift the blame. Pathetic!