Nov. 26, 2025 6 AM PT
To the editor: PETA joins Burbank police in mourning Ok-9 Spike, who was shot by an armed suspect (“Police K-9, suspect killed after standoff with Burbank police,” Nov. 22). In contrast to human officers who select to serve, Spike had no say in risking his life. Police canines are loyal and desirous to please their handlers, however they can’t consent to being within the line of fireside in violent confrontations.
Sadly, Spike’s dying shouldn’t be an anomaly. Simply this 12 months, Ok-9 Oya in St. Louis County, Mo., was killed whereas pursuing two harmful suspects. Ok-9 Insurgent died in the crossfire as police in Albuquerque, N.M., tried to apprehend a identified felony. Ok-9 Azi fell victim to an “alternate of gunfire” in McKinney, Texas. And people are only some latest examples.
Businesses throughout the nation, together with the Massachusetts State Police and Connecticut’s Enfield Police Department, are efficiently deploying robotic Ok-9s to deal with hazardous conditions. It’s time for all departments to undertake this know-how to avoid wasting animal and human lives.
Allison Fandl, Norfolk, Va.
This author is supervisor of particular initiatives at PETA.
