Pubdate: Sat, 23 Nov 2002
Source: London Free Press (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002 The London Free Press a division of Sun Media Corporation.
Contact:  http://www.fyilondon.com/londonfreepress/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/243
Author: Kelly Pedro

20 ATTEND VIGIL FOR DOG SHOT BY POLICE

Holding candles and bracing themselves against the blustery wind, about 20 
people gathered in front of police headquarters to mourn the loss of a 
family pet last night.

"We're here to mourn the death of Bear," said Florine Morrison, founder of 
the London Animal Alliance.

The group organized a 30-minute candlelight vigil on Dundas Street to 
remember the six-year-old dog police shot and killed while searching the 
wrong Oxford Street apartment for drugs.

"This is more than just a mistake," she said. "They shot the dog in the 
back and they broke into an innocent woman's apartment and that kind of 
mistake is pretty much unforgivable."

Marcie Carroll, 22, had recently moved into her apartment and started a new 
job when police burst in and killed Bear.

As a group of supporters lined up on the sidewalk with candles and photos 
of Bear, a German shepherd and Labrador cross, some passersby honked in 
support.

Not everyone felt the same.

One car sped down Dundas Street as a young male passenger hung out the 
window and yelled: "It's just a dog."

But Marlene Mazie, who brought her four-year-old German shepherd with her, 
didn't feel that way.

"I'm trying to imagine how (Carroll) would cope with (the death of her 
dog). It's really upsetting and to think our own police did this."

Morrison said she's waiting for results of an internal police investigation 
launched after Carroll's apartment was raided. The findings, expected to be 
released this week, will be delayed, said London police Const. Paul Martin.

"Because of the investigation, more information has come about. As a result 
of that information, there has been a delay," he said.

Martin said he couldn't discuss specifics about the new information.

Police Chief Brian Collins launched the investigation after the raid.

The public was to find out this week whether Police Services Act charges 
would be laid against any or all of nine officers involved.

Martin said Deputy Chief Tony McGowan hasn't received a complete report 
from Insp. Kenneth Heslop, conducting the internal probe.

McGowan was to review Heslop's investigation and decide on whether charges 
would be laid.

The new information has delayed the release of those findings.
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