The Des Moines City Council was handed a petition Nov. 18 with over 4,000 signatures signed by people in 43 different countries calling for police accountability in the shooting of the two-year-old Newfoundland dog, Rosie.

"I know Des Moines feels they are under a microscope on this issue and quite frankly you are," Newfoundland Club of Seattle President Richard Jack said.

This was the first council meeting since Rosie was killed by police officers, giving people their first opportunity to officially address the council.

"This gives Des Moines a great opportunity to rise beyond this tragic occasion, which is all too common across America. You have the power, the motivation, and the opportunity to set an example for every small city that expects law enforcement officers to perform animal control responsibilities," Jack said.

Des Moines Animal Control was called on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 7, to capture a loose dog on 16th Avenue South and South 262nd Street. Rosie had escaped owners Deirdre and Chuck Wright's yard.

Des Moines lone animal control officer Jan Magnuson was not on duty at the time, so regular police officers were dispatched to the call.

Officers were unable to identify or capture Rosie with a catch pull. Rosie was tasered twice, and ran away from officers into Lora Perry's backyard.

Officers found Rosie in Perry's backyard. Based on what the officer described as aggressive behavior the choice was made to use lethal force. It was in Perry's backyard officers shot Rosie four times.

Perry said Rosie did not threaten her or her, and if she had been given the opportunity she would have kept Rosie in her fenced backyard while officers found her owner.

This incident has incited a public outcry from all over the world.

Des Moines Mayor Bob Sheckler said the city is looking for a third party to investigate both the incident and their procedures. Sheckler also said they have requested the King County Prosecutor's Office to review the incident for any criminal culpability.

The third party investigation will not begin until after the internal shooting review is conducted. The investigation process could take several more weeks, Sheckler said, because they want to make sure everything is looked at very thoroughly.

Jack said the Newfoundland Club of Seattle, and everyone watching this case closely, trust in the process the city has established and are awaiting the results of the investigations.

"The Newfoundland Club of Seattle would like nothing more than to return to these chambers in the future and applaud the City of Des Moines for using this tragedy to spur these changes in policy, training, and accountability," Jack said.

Sheckler, along with Mayor Pro-Tem Dave Kaplan and councilmember Dan Sherman have said they would like to review the city's procedures for handling this kind of a situation.

Kaplan said if the procedures were followed, then they need to be reviewed.

Sherman said the city should look at working together with neighboring cities to combine forces for animal control.

King County has restructured their animal control services, which has caused some cities to take animal control services in house.

SeaTac, who renewed their contract with King County for Animal Control Services, shares one animal control officer with all of south King County, including Vashon Island.

Burien has runs its own program with veterinarian Dr. Leslie Kasper.

SeaTac and Tukwila use King County's revised program.

Jack said the city needs to establish a clear animal behavior-training program for all its officers, if there are going to be responding to animal control calls.

"The city needs to provide its officers with the tools and information to fulfill the responsibilities placed on them. And lastly the city needs to hold officers accountable when they breach the public trust placed in them," said Jack.