This happens far, far too much. There was a similar, though not nearly as tragic, situation in Dayton a couple of months back. Fortunately the man's mother was able to out-shout the cops...
My dog has a shock collar, but it's tied to the electric fence. It's on low, and he hasn't been shocked much. For a mutt, he's pretty smart. BUT - that's his CHOICE, not something involuntary.
And kicking someone when they are down - this whole thing made me see RED.