Pubdate: Tue, 30 Nov 1999
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 1999 The Province
Contact:  200 Granville Street, Ste. #1, Vancouver, BC V6C 3N3 Canada
Fax: (604) 605-2323
Website: http://www.vancouverprovince.com/
Author: Keith Fraser, Staff Reporter The Province

VIDEO OF POLICE RAID SHOWS PIT BULL LYING IN POOL OF BLOOD

An inquiry into a botched police drug raid viewed a video yesterday of the
duplex where a pit bull was shot dead during a children's birthday party in
Abbotsford.

The 15-minute video, taken by police after the Jan. 3 incident, shows the
dog lying in a pool of blood in the kitchen of the Centre Street home.

It also shows spent shell casings and a bullet fragment from two shots fired
by the Abbotsford police emergency response team.

The video was entered as evidence on the first day of an inquiry by the B.C.
police complaints commission in Vancouver.

Abbotsford police Det. Brian Kwak testified he took the video and a series
of still photos after the shooting. The photos showed a banner with the
words "Happy Birthday" and some plates with birthday cake on them. About a
dozen kids were in the room at the time of the shooting.

Under questioning from lawyer Kevin Woodall, who is representing one of the
officers, Kwak said he saw evidence of drugs and drug paraphernalia in the
home.

He identified what he said appeared to be a hash pipe, some bunsen burners,
a gram weight scale, some baggies and marijuana "roaches."

Kwak said a starter pistol and several large knives were found in the home.

The inquiry, which continues today in Abbotsford, is to determine whether
any of the officers involved should be disciplined.
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