Woman sues officer over dog's killing

A Henderson woman filed a lawsuit Tuesday against her neighbor, a Clark County corrections officer who shot and killed her dog in November.

John Stroz, who was off duty at his home at the time of the shooting, has already pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, been sentenced to 400 hours of community service at an animal shelter, disciplined by Metro Police and faced a barrage of public criticism and even a few death threats phoned to his home.

Now he faces the lawsuit that accuses him of acting under the "color of law," and inflicting emotional distress that has led the dog's owner, Judi Burns, to be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the lawsuit filed in Clark County District Court. The suits asks for damages "in excess of $10,000."

The incident started on the morning of Nov. 22. Stroz was walking his own dog and carrying a handgun, which he said he often did when off duty.

Burns' dog, a border collie named Rosie, ran up to Stroz and his dog. Stroz said at the time the dog was being aggressive. Burns has said she was coming to get her dog and was right next to the dog when Stroz shot and killed it.

Neither Stroz nor Burns could be reached for comment about the lawsuit.

Burns' attorney said since the shooting of her dog, Burns has missed work and has been under the care of a counselor.

"Her rights were violated, and we want to let a jury decide the appropriate damages," said David Chesnoff, who said his firm is handling the case at no cost to Burns.

The suit claims that Stroz was acting like a police officer after the shooting, identifying himself "on at least two separate occasions ... as a police officer," showed a badge and after the shooting strung up yellow police tape around the area. Stroz is a correctional officer at the Clark County Detention Center.

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