Justice for Otto - Legal Aid Fund
Donation protected
This fundraiser aims to soften the impending costs of legal aid required to hold the Wyckoff Police Department accountable for needlessly killing the Vukobratovic's beloved German Shepard, Otto.
During the late afternoon on Wednesday, 4/29/15, the owner of 621 Lawlins Rd. noticed some unusual damage to a window in their home. Having a newborn in the house and not wanting to cause any immediate alarm, the neighbor visited the Wyckoff Police Department in order to file a report. He was told to expect an officer within the hour.
When patrolman Kyle Ferreira and his partner arrived at the scene, they responded incorrectly to the dispatch address of 621, and instead pulled up in front of 622 Lawlins Rd., the Vukobratovic residence.
The neighbors, quietly waiting for the police, knew something was wrong the moment they directed their attention to the incorrect house. They were unable to get the attention of the officers before patrolman Ferreira proceeded down the driveway, entered the gated backyard, and fired four times at Otto, who had entered the backyard from inside the house once he heard the gate close.
Patrolman Ferreira missed two of his shots, and the other two hit Otto in the side and back. Otto limped across the yard, leaving a trail of blood from where he was shot to the side of the house, where he laid, desperately trying to get inside to protect himself.
He was taken to Oradell Animal Hospital where despite the efforts of the doctors, he succame to his injuries and died.
Following the incident, the Wyckoff Police Department have made no effort to apologize or offer condolences to the Vukobratovic's, going so far as defending the officers actions as necessary as he was in "great danger."
Otto was not a trained "attack dog" - he was an obedient family pet with a loving, playful, friendly dispostion.
The ever-changing excuses of Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox claim the officer observed an open window, believed a burglary was in progress, and therefore drew his weapon in preparation for an intruder.
However, casings found at the scene show Patrolman Ferreira made all of his shots from the first few feet of the yard, a vantage point that makes it impossible to see any windows of the home.
Witnesses, having an unobscured view of the yard, corroborate this discrepancy, stating the officer went from his car to the yard to firing his gun within a matter of seconds, hitting Otto before he ever got close to him, making an "attack" on the part of the dog impossible.
What's Next?
It is clear the Wyckoff Police Department are not interested in taking responsibility for their actions and there is no recourse for the Vukobratovic's outside of seeking legal counsel.
The costs of the emergency veterinary care are already significant, and securing proper legal aid is going to require it's own costs.
Though the Vukobratovic's are determined to seek damages, there is no guarantee they will be compensated for their losses for quite some time. This fundraiser is a means to help this grieving family with the stresses of pursuing this to the furthest extent.
During the late afternoon on Wednesday, 4/29/15, the owner of 621 Lawlins Rd. noticed some unusual damage to a window in their home. Having a newborn in the house and not wanting to cause any immediate alarm, the neighbor visited the Wyckoff Police Department in order to file a report. He was told to expect an officer within the hour.
When patrolman Kyle Ferreira and his partner arrived at the scene, they responded incorrectly to the dispatch address of 621, and instead pulled up in front of 622 Lawlins Rd., the Vukobratovic residence.
The neighbors, quietly waiting for the police, knew something was wrong the moment they directed their attention to the incorrect house. They were unable to get the attention of the officers before patrolman Ferreira proceeded down the driveway, entered the gated backyard, and fired four times at Otto, who had entered the backyard from inside the house once he heard the gate close.
Patrolman Ferreira missed two of his shots, and the other two hit Otto in the side and back. Otto limped across the yard, leaving a trail of blood from where he was shot to the side of the house, where he laid, desperately trying to get inside to protect himself.
He was taken to Oradell Animal Hospital where despite the efforts of the doctors, he succame to his injuries and died.
Following the incident, the Wyckoff Police Department have made no effort to apologize or offer condolences to the Vukobratovic's, going so far as defending the officers actions as necessary as he was in "great danger."
Otto was not a trained "attack dog" - he was an obedient family pet with a loving, playful, friendly dispostion.
The ever-changing excuses of Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox claim the officer observed an open window, believed a burglary was in progress, and therefore drew his weapon in preparation for an intruder.
However, casings found at the scene show Patrolman Ferreira made all of his shots from the first few feet of the yard, a vantage point that makes it impossible to see any windows of the home.
Witnesses, having an unobscured view of the yard, corroborate this discrepancy, stating the officer went from his car to the yard to firing his gun within a matter of seconds, hitting Otto before he ever got close to him, making an "attack" on the part of the dog impossible.
What's Next?
It is clear the Wyckoff Police Department are not interested in taking responsibility for their actions and there is no recourse for the Vukobratovic's outside of seeking legal counsel.
The costs of the emergency veterinary care are already significant, and securing proper legal aid is going to require it's own costs.
Though the Vukobratovic's are determined to seek damages, there is no guarantee they will be compensated for their losses for quite some time. This fundraiser is a means to help this grieving family with the stresses of pursuing this to the furthest extent.
Organizer
Igor Vuk
Organizer
Wyckoff, NJ
