$620,000 Awarded to Owners of Shot Dog

A Taneytown couple claims the Frederick County Sheriff's Office violated their constitutional rights

A Frederick County Circuit Court jury awarded $620,000 to the Taneytown couple that filed a civil case against the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office.

The Frederick News-Post reports Deputy First Class Timothy Brooks violated the Jenkins' rights under the Maryland constitution when he entered their home without permission and shot their chocolate Labrador retriever.

The Jenkins say Brooks and Deputy First Class Nathan Rector came into their home without a warrant or their permission. The officers were looking for the couple's son to serve him a civil warrant.

According to the complaint filed by the plaintiffs' attorney, Cary Hansel, the dog was not acting aggressively or even facing Brooks when he shot her. The dog suffered injuries to the back of her shoulder that required surgery. The Jenkins turned down a $2,500 settlement offer to cover her veterinary bills.

Brooks said in his report that the dog was approaching him aggressively, and that Roger Jenkins made no attempt to restrain or control the dog. Jenkins claims he was trying to bring the dog inside the home when she was shot.

The jury deliberated for four and a half hours before returning with their verdict, the Frederick News-Post reports.

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