Zephyrhills police dog killed during chase

A police dog was killed Thursday as it helped officers chase a burglary suspect across U.S. 301.

Gunner, a 4-year-old German shepherd, had been with the Zephyrhills Police Department since May 2006. Gunner's handler during his time with the department was Officer Joseph Rinaldo.

"It's a pretty raw deal for all of us," said Capt. Jeff McDougal.

Officers responded to a burglary at 5747 Gall Blvd. about 1 a.m. Thursday. The suspects were still inside the business when Rinaldo and Gunner arrived. Gunner was sent in through the back door and chased the suspects as they ran from the store.

Backup officers arrived and joined the chase, McDougal said. As Gunner chased one of the suspects, he began getting closer to one of the pursuing officers. That's when Rinaldo called Gunner off and had him recross U.S. 301. But as Gunner crossed the highway, he was struck and killed by a sports utility vehicle.

"Joe really had one choice and that was to call that dog off," McDougal said. "The dog can't tell the difference between the burglar and a police officer in those kind of situations, so he really prevented serious injury to one or more officers by calling him off."

Police arrested Charles Lee Boulanger, 51, and Kathleen Harpst, 36, at the nearby Magnuson Hotel; they face charges of burglary, possession of burglary tools and interfering with a police dog.

Florida law provides for the prosecution of people who harm police dogs and horses. One provision in the law requires anyone convicted of such an offense to pay for the replacement of the animal.

Boulanger and Harpst were being held Friday in the Land O' Lakes Jail with bail set at $3,100 each.

According to police reports, they entered the business by breaking a deadbolt lock on the back door and stole $2 in cash, 40 postage stamps and a laptop computer. The items were recovered by police.

Editor's note: A previous version of this story included incorrect information about the residence of Charles Boulanger, according to his mother, Sharon Meyer.