Family Doesn't Think It'll Take Legal Action Against Officials For Dog's Death

The family of a German shepherd who was shot and killed by a township police officer doesn’t think they’re going to take any legal action against the police department or township.

Igor Vukobratovic said the family still hasn’t received and official report about the incident where Patrolman Kyle Ferreira shot the family’s dog twice April 29 after it reportedly lunged at him during a burglary investigation. The dog died later that night at an animal hospital.

“I don’t think there’s any sort of legal actions we could take,” Vukobratovic said. “We still haven’t received a police report. You need a report before you can file a complaint.”

Vukobratovic’s 5-year-old German shepherd Otto reportedly lunged at Ferreira out of an open window, bit the officer’s foot, and wouldn’t let go. Ferreira reportedly fired his gun four times at the dog, hitting him twice. Police Chief Benjamin Fox said that Ferreira had a right to defend himself.

Vukobratovic said that Fox contacted the family and asked to meet with them with no lawyers present. He said he told Fox that the family would meet with authorities — but only with lawyers present.

Township counsel Robert Landel said he advised Fox not to meet with the family without lawyers present. Vukobratovic said Fox called the family back Thursday and withdrew the offer to meet. Fox declined to comment.

Fox previously said that Ferreira thought the opening was “a point of entry” of a reported burglary. The burglary that reportedly occurred was at 621 Lawins Road, not 622 where the Vukobratovics family lives. An audio recording of the conversation between emergency dispatchers and police officers, including Ferreira, revealed that dispatchers told Ferreira he was investigating a burglary that had taken place “days” in the past.

The family found a bullet and three bullet casings on their property. Vukobratovics said no investigators or police officers have returned to the house since the shooting occurred.

Residents have accused the police department of covering up facts in the case. Mayor Kevin Rooney and Fox requested that a detective from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office assist with the investigation. Rooney wrote to state Senator Kevin O’Toole, asking him to contact the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the state Attorney General’s office to assist with the investigation.

Vukobratovic is encouraging residents to attend a council meeting Tuesday night at town hall. Several dozens residents held up signs in front of town hall peacefully protesting the shooting before a council meeting last month. During the meeting, several residents, including Vukobratovic and his father, criticized the way authorities handled investigation.

“Wyckoff residents especially should consider preparing a few words for the council, as your voices will carry the weight,” Vukobratovic said in a Facebook post on the Justice for Otto page. “The mayor, police chief, and township council have a responsibility to listen and answer for the way this case was handled.”