Family At Odds With Evanston Police Over Cop's Fatal Shooting of Dog

Police and an Evanston family are in dispute over the circumstances surrounding a late April incident in which an officer fired five shots at a 2-year-old German Shepherd, killing the family’s dog.

Following a domestic disturbance on a Sunday night, April 26, that had police units sent to the 2000 block of Darrow Avenue, an officer opened an unlocked door that led to the basement and was immediately approached by Chance, a 90-pound dog. Claiming the dog lunged at him, the officer opened fire.

ALSO ON PATCH: Former Northwestern Football Player Faces Weapons Charges for Rifle Found In Car Outside Stadium

Evanston Police Department Commander Joe Dugan said the officer “had no indication when he opened the door that the dog was coming through,” the Evanston Review reports, also noting family members claims that police were informed of the animal’s presence and that information had not been relayed to the officer involved in the shooting.

Trinette Lark, whose family lives at the residence says Chance was killed “for basically nothing.” His son, Prince Ford, believes the dog was excited to have a visitor and was not interested in attacking the officer. 

Police have also reported the officer had lost footing on the stairwell and was on his back when the dog “kept rushing at him, in attack” mode. During the fast moving incident, the officer would have had little time and options to defend himself - according to Dugan.

ALSO ON PATCH: Hot Water Death of 8-Year Old Skokie Boy Under Investigation

The Evanston Police Department has opened up a use-of-force investigation from the incident. Preliminary findings have indicated the officer opened fire on the dog after the animal lunged at him in the stairwell outside the basement.

more via the Evanston Review

ALSO ON PATCH: Parents of New Trier Grad Killed by Drunk Driver Speak Out