On Sept. 13, a pet German Shepherd named Duke was shot and killed at Percy Warner Park. Nashvillians are concerned for what this says about animal rights, gun rights, and safety.
Just over a month after the fatal shooting, many Nashvillians are still feeling shocked and confused about how something like this could happen, particularly in a dog-friendly, public place. Our city’s laws require all dogs to be leashed (unless hunting or herding), and Duke was off-leash but under control of an electronic collar, or e-collar. In addition, it is illegal to have a weapon within a public park in Nashville, but a 2015 state law allows those with gun permits to carry guns within parks. And it is illegal to kill another person’s animal without their permission, unless you feel threatened by that animal.
While the investigation is still ongoing as of Sept. 25, it seems that this incident was entirely legal, as the shooter claims he was threatened by the off-leash dog. This incident leaves many in our city concerned for their animal’s safety in public, and it has reignited ongoing debates about the right to bear arms. Today, we’ll unpack all that happened in Percy Warner and learn from local dog trainers about what the best practices are to keep our furry friends safe.
This episode was produced by Elizabeth Burton.
Guests:
- Ariana Kaufman, Nashville resident and eyewitness to Duke’s killing
- Senator Heidi Campbell, state senator of District 20, which encompasses Percy Warner Park
- Will Maguire, Nashville resident and guest columnist for The Tennesseean
- Abigail Hyndman, owner of DarkWood Dog Training
- Nikki Ivey, owner of DogSpeak and animal behaviorist
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