Better not bark in Palo Alto...

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: Paul Saffo <psaffo () iftf org>
Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2003 12:35:15 -0700
To: Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>
Subject: Better not bark in Palo Alto...

Only in California -- and hopefully only in Palo Alto. If this goes to trial
I expect the defendant to introduce expert testimony to the effect that his
bark was friendly and respectful. Me, I pity Odin the shepherd for having
such a humorless idiot of a guaradian as Officer Wilkie.
-p
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Posted on Wed, Apr. 23, 2003
BARKING NO JOKE TO COP
By Jessie Seyfer
Mercury News


When a Palo Alto police dog barked at Richard Dillon, the Menlo Park man
barked back.

Dillon's actions didn't amuse Palo Alto police, who cited him on a
misdemeanor charge of taunting a police dog. On Tuesday, Dillon pleaded not
guilty in Santa Clara County court.

Now Dillon hopes to go to trial, because he thinks the charge is
``ridiculous,'' said his attorney, Donald Tasto.

Dillon was arrested March 5 at about 12:20 a.m., police said. He and a
co-worker were walking down Ramona Avenue in Palo Alto after enjoying a
night of Mardi Gras festivities, Tasto said.

As Dillon approached Palo Alto police officer Bob Wilkie's squad car --
occupied only by Odin, the canine -- Odin began to bark, said police
spokesman Jim Coffman. As Dillon passed the open back window, he barked back
at the dog. A heavy-duty wire screen was all that separated man and beast,
Coffman said.

Police say Dillon not only barked, but also shook his fist at Odin. Wilkie
cited Dillon on a charge of willfully and maliciously interfering with the
duties of a police dog.

Dillon denies that he shook his fist at Odin, and said he only barked once
at the dog, from a distance of about 10 feet, Tasto said. Neither Wilkie nor
Dillon could be reached for comment Tuesday.

The charge, which carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail, is unfair for
two reasons, Tasto said: Dillon didn't bark maliciously, and Odin wasn't
working at the time.

Santa Clara County prosecutors said they couldn't yet comment on Dillon's
claims.

``We are currently reviewing the law and investigating the facts in more
detail,'' said supervising deputy district attorney Jay Boyarsky.

Dillon's next hearing in Santa Clara County court is Thursday.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact Jessie Seyfer at jseyfer () mercurynews com or (650) 688-7531.

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/5695960.htm


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