Congresswoman seeks probe into park ranger’s used of stun gun on dog walker
Congresswoman Jackie Speier is asking for an investigation into last weekend’s arrest of a dog walker who was Tasered by a park ranger in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area near Montara.
Speier sent a letter to GGNRA Superintendent Frank Dean expressing her concerns and requesting information about the arrest of Gary Hesterberg, of Montara, who was walking his dogs off-leash when stopped by the park ranger.
“Many of my constituents are understandably angered by what appears to be an excessive use of force by a park ranger,” Speier said “From the information I have to date, it does not appear that the use of a Taser was warranted.”
Speier worked closely with state officials on the use of tear gas, stun guns and pepper spray while she was in the California legislature, a local NBC affiliate reported.
She says she has requested information about training in Taser usage for park rangers and also about how the public was informed about dog policy changes at Rancho Corral de Tierra.
According to witnesses, the dog owner — who had one of his two dogs leashed when he was stopped — repeatedly asked why he was being detained, and eventually told the ranger to cite him or he was going to walk away.
“He started to walk away and she told him that she would Tase him if he walked another step,” one witness said. When the man turned, the ranger deployed her Taser, causing him to fall to the ground.
Advocate groups for dog owners, including Montara Dog and DogPAC of San Francisco, have asked the National Park Service to investigate the incident and to cease ticketing dog walkers in Rancho Corral de Tierra.
GGNRA officials said the dog walker provided false information to the ranger and refused the ranger’s repeated orders to remain at the scene while his identity was confirmed. They said they are are reviewing the incident.
The 3,800-acre property was transferred to the park service by the Peninsula Open Space Trust in December. While dogs were once allowed off leash there, the park service changed the rules, requiring all dogs be on leashes.
Posted by jwoestendiek February 3rd, 2012 under Muttsblog.
Tags: animals, california, congresswoman, dog walker, dogs, gary hesterberg, golden gate national recreation area, jackie speier, leash, leashed, montara, national park service, park ranger, pets, rancho corral de tierra, rules, stun gun, tased, taser, tasered, unleashed
