MOUNTAIN CITY, TENNESSEE — A veteran city police officer was fired last month after he discharged his weapon inside a Dollar General store, killing a squirrel.
In September, Officer Jody Putnam responded to a call from the store manager, who reported that a squirrel was scampering around inside the store and frightening customers. Initially, Putnam pepper-sprayed the squirrel, but the fumes spread and sent customers running for the exits, hacking and coughing.
Putnam then drew his handgun and fired multiple shots, killing the squirrel. The remaining customers stampeded from the store in panic.
Mountain City officers are required by city ordinance to file a written report after a weapon is discharged. Putnam refused to file a report and was terminated by the City Council.
CAROL STREAM, ILLINOIS — Police in this Chicago suburb were delayed in investigating a burglary by what they called a “bizarre incident.”
When officers responded to a burglary call at a doctor’s office, one of the officers entered the MRI room. Immediately, the MRI machine’s powerful magnet snatched the officer’s gun from his hand. The weapon was pinned to the side of the machine and could not be removed.
Neither the doctor’s staff nor the building owner had a way to turn off the machine. The building was vacated, and no one was allowed inside the building until a team from the MRI manufacturer could arrive.
After the magnetism was turned off, the burglary investigation resumed.
WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT — In October, Waterbury police arrested a shirtless man and charged him with cruelty to animals, second degree burglary, interfering with a police officer, disorderly conduct, and assault.
Just after 10PM, an officer responded to a report of a fight on Orange Street and saw Luis Santana, 32, fleeing the scene. Santana was shirtless and carrying a white parrot.
When confronted by the officer, Santana allegedly threw the parrot at the officer and escaped into a nearby woods. The animal bit the officer on the finger.
A witness later led police to Santana, who had broken into an apartment and was hiding in a bathroom.
Police determined that the parrot was stolen and returned it to its owner.
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