No Indication Police Officer Acted Improperly in Dog Shooting

A Wyandotte police officer investigating a dog-at-large complaint shot a pit bull that was charging him Sunday, killing the dog.

The dog was described as “vicious,” the Southgate News-Herald reports. The incident occurred in the vicinity of 18th Street and Antoine.

The officer, who was not named, reportedly shot the dog from a distance of about eight feet.

Related:

• 15-Year-Old Dog Shot in Police Raid Gone Wrong

Wyandotte Police Chief Daniel Grant said that though the department has received soem calls about the shooting, there is no indication the officer acted improperly.

“If a dog is charging an officer they do not have to wait for it to grab a hold of them or bite prior to discharging a firearm,” Grant said. “They would also take into account the size of the dog, what the dog was doing prior to the encounter, and if it is taking an aggressive action.”

A woman who claimed ownership of the dog apologized to the officer. “I’m sorry,” she reportedly said, “it gets out all the time.”

Neither the pit bull or another dog on her property was licensed. Animal control officers will follow up to determine charges, which could include violations for dog at large, keeping a vicious dog, and failure to license and vaccinate dogs

_______

Photo: City of Wyandotte