Owner Sues Wyckoff Cop Who Killed His Dog While Investigating Burglary

WYCKOFF, N.J. — A township man is suing the Wyckoff police officer who shot and killed his German shepherd, Otto, after the dog bit him while he was investigating a burglary at the wrong location last year.

Vukobratovic's attorney, Brandon J. Broderick, filed the suit Nov. 23 in Bergen County Superior Court. Broderick did not return a phone call seeking comment. Patch could not obtain a copy of the lawsuit.

Goran Vukobratovic claims in the lawsuit he suffered "great pain, shock and mental anguish," NJ.com reported, after Officer Kyle Ferreira shot and fatally wounded Otto, who had to be euthanized due to his injuries.

The suit also names the Wyckoff Police Department and the township as defendants, according to the report. Vukobratovic claims that Ferreira intentionally shot the dog and that authorities failed to properly supervise him.

Vukobratovic also claims the shooting was intentional, reckless, outrageous, and "outside the scope" of Ferreira's "employment and duties," according to the report.

Officer Kevin Pinches, president of the Wyckoff Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 261, Chief David Murphy, and Mayor Kevin Rooney, did not respond to an email seeking comment.

The shooting set off a firestorm of controversy. Animal rights activists and others protested outside of Town Hall in the days and weeks following the April 2015 incident.

Ferreira was at the wrong house investigating a burglary that had occurred "days" before.

RELATED: Wyckoff Officer Was Probing 'Days'-Old Burglary When He Shot Dog

Dispatchers told Ferreira the burglary took place at 621 Lawlins Road, but recordings of the conversation show that Ferreira spoke back "622 Lawlins Road" and the dispatcher never corrected him.

Police said Ferreira drew his gun when a "large, growling German shepherd "lunged" out of an open window bit Ferreira on his right foot, and would not let go, police said at the once of the shooting.

Ferreira fired his gun at the dog four times, shooting it twice, police previously said.

An internal investigation cleared Ferreira of any wrongdoing. Investigators concluded that Ferreira told the truth when he reported what happened and “had a right to defend himself.”

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Otto, the German shepherd that who shot. — Courtesy of the Vukobratovic family