By Lara Fominoff @LaraFominoff on Twitter

Dozens protest to demand firing of Lethbridge Police Officer who ran over deer with patrol truck

Jan 13, 2019 | 4:40 PM

LETHBRIDGE – About 100 people showed up at the corner of 1 Ave. S and Scenic Drive Sunday afternoon (Jan. 13), to insist that the unnamed Lethbridge Police Officer who repeatedly ran over an injured deer the night of Jan.5, be fired. 

As the protesters chanted “hey hey, ho ho, that cop has got to go,” and held signs reading “there’s no excuse for animal abuse,” “police are not above the law,” “stop animal abuse” and many others, dozens of drivers going past the scene also honked their support. 

Barry Rosenfelt, one of the protesters, said he became aware of the incident several days ago and signed an online petition that has now garnered nearly 70,000 signatures from around the world.

“Protest is always necessary. In a civil society it is necessary because voices matter. This issue is important, and it should remain important. They may say it doesn’t matter, but that’s their opinion and we have our opinions.”

Keith Gregory is a 30-year Lethbridge resident, calls what the officer did to the deer “barbaric.” He was disappointed with the protest turnout though, calling it small – compared to the numbers that have signed the petition. He says if he could say something to Chief Rob Davis, he would ask why he has only spoken publicly once.

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“How come we haven’t heard from you in so many days? No apology, no explanation, nothing. I think to be honest with you, what’s really scary is that there was a cop that drove (in) the other direction- slowed down to get a better look. So I gotta wonder, whether it’s systemic throughout the department. And if it is, then it’s time to clean it out from the top down.”

Chief Rob Davis announced last Tuesday (Jan.8), that the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) had taken over the investigation into the officer’s conduct.
In a statement released by the department, he said “After watching the video I understand the concerns people have and I can assure the community we take this incident very seriously. Transparency is paramount to the public’s trust and confidence in the police service and I welcome this independent investigation.”

The video, posted online by Global News Lethbridge, shows an LPS officer in his patrol truck repeatedly running over an injured deer as it screams out in pain. The officer waits several minutes in between each time he runs over the animal. The deer tries to get up once, but can’t. After about 15 minutes, the officer then finally parks his truck on top of the deer until it’s dead and then drags it by its feet to the side of the road. 

“Sherry” who brought her daughter and young grandchildren to the protest said it was important for their kids to learn from the incident as well. 

“It was so terrible. It made me very said. I think the children will learn, and have compassion for others- animals and for everyone.”