Cop Fatally Shoots Dog While Responding To Theft Report In Severn

SEVERN, MD — A police officer responding to a theft report in Severn fatally shot a homeowner's Cane Corso Mastiff after the dog allegedly advanced at him Sunday afternoon, officials said.

An Anne Arundel police officer was called to the 1800 block of Graybird Court around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Police said the officer was speaking to the adult male victim before he shot and killed the three-year-old female Cane Corso Mastiff.

When the victim opened the lower level rear sliding door to his home, the dog came outside. The officer said the animal "took an aggressive posture" and "began growling and baring (her) teeth."

Backing away, the officer ordered the victim to control the dog or to bring her inside, police said.

"The dog was focused on the officer and advancing on the officer as the officer was backing out of the yard yelling commands," the police department said in a statement. "The officer was backing up in a fenced in yard and could not turn to see the gate. The dog advanced faster towards the officer who fired his service weapon at the aggressive dog."

According to police, the dog suffered a fatal injury and was taken into custody by Anne Arundel County Animal Care and Control officials. They will perform an autopsy, officials said.

Detectives were called to the home following the incident. An investigation is underway, authorities said.

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