Honk News (Salt Lake City, UT) – A police officer shot a dog multiple times after it bit him early Sunday morning, leading to the dog’s euthanasia, as reported by authorities.
Officers from the Salt Lake City Police Department arrived at a convenience store on North Temple Street shortly after 3 a.m. on Sunday, following reports from an employee about individuals trespassing on the property. Two officers first arrived and came across “a sizable crowd in the parking area,” according to police.
“When an officer approached the group, a dog on leash began barking at the officer and then quickly lunged at the officer, biting him,” SLCPD said in a press release. “Although the dog had a leash attached to its collar, no one was holding the leash, allowing the dog to move freely.”
Following the incident where the officer was bitten, footage from the body camera reveals the officer aiming his firearm at the dog and warning the owner, “Get your f—ing dog or I’m going to shoot it.”
The officer who sustained a bite subsequently requested additional support. Authorities reported that initial findings suggest the dog owner allowed someone else to take hold of the animal after it had bitten the officer, and that individual allegedly walked through the parking lot with the dog.
The individual identified by authorities as the “handler” of the dog lost control of the animal as another officer moved in to secure it. The canine managed to escape and sprinted towards the officer.
Footage captured by body cameras revealed the officers issuing verbal commands to manage the dog. However, when the dog lunged at the second officer, the officer who had been bitten and hurt discharged four rounds. Authorities have not revealed the number of times the dog was struck.
The owner of the dog rushed to its side after it was shot, and bodycam footage captures the moment she was knocked down and held back. Authorities indicated that officers “briefly held her for safety and to maintain evidence.”
Authorities reported that the dog sustained severe injuries and was subsequently put down by Salt Lake County Animal Services. The owner of the dog was said to have been afforded a chance for a personal farewell with her pet following the gathering of evidence at the location.
“I understand how people deeply care for their animals, and I recognize the pain this dog’s owner and those who knew this dog are experiencing,” SLCPD Police Chief Brian Redd said. “At the same time, our officers were faced with a dangerous and rapidly evolving situation. The officers were forced to make a difficult, split-second decision to protect themselves.”
The officer bitten by the dog has been assessed at the hospital and found to have injuries that are not life-threatening.
In a press release issued on Sunday, SLCPD stated that the location of the incident “has faced ongoing public safety issues.” No arrests occurred; however, those allegedly trespassing received verbal warnings.
