Deputy Suspended after Dog Shooting; Family Suing County

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Story Published: Nov 21, 2007 at 8:59 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 7, 2008 at 1:14 PM MDT

By Nate Eaton

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A Channel 3 Eyewitness News investigation has led to the suspension of a Teton County deputy accused of shooting a dog.

Deputy Joseph Gutierrez has been suspended and the Tri-county Sheriff's organization is now investigating the shooting incident.

It all stems from an exclusive story channel 3 told you about Tuesday night concerning a family who says Gutierrez showed up at their house and shot their dog three times.

Gutierrez told the Barboza family he was there because the dog had bitten someone. When the family asked for proof, they say the deputy said he didn't need any.

After our story aired, Justin Frandsen emailed me. He said he was arrested the night before the dog was shot and was in the Teton County Sheriff's Office when he heard officers talking about the dog.

Justin Frandsen, Resident: "They were joking and laughing about what weapons they wanted to shoot him with and how they were gonna shoot him. At the end of the conversation they were almost feuding over who got to shoot the dog."

Fransden was shocked by what he heard and says he felt obligated to say something.

Frandsen: "You guys must feel like you're real big cops, real tough guys, to have to go out and basically assassinate somebody's house pet."

After Teton County resident Nancy Nead saw our story, she emailed me and believes facts are probably being left out of the story.

Nead: "I would bet that the deputy was either protecting himself because I have hard time believe that the deputy would just come and shoot the dog without a reason."

We want to know why deputy Guiterrez shot the dog and hear his side of the story.

We personally invite him to talk with us and answer our questions.

When we spoke with Teton County dispatch, they say they've received multiple death threats against their officers.

We do not support or encourage that type of behavior.

Channel 3 has also learned the Barboza's attorney has filed a tort claim against Teton County.

That means the county will be notified in writing, that the Barboza's will pursue legal action.

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