A police officer in Laurel had to take the drastic step of ending the life of a K9 dog on Thursday morning when efforts to prevent it from attacking a man were unsuccessful. The canine was subsequently recognized as being associated with the Montana Highway Patrol.
In a press release, Laurel Police Chief Stanley J Langve stated that the incident was initially reported just after 8 a.m., following a call regarding a dog attack occurring in the 800 block of Wyoming Avenue.
A law enforcement officer responded to the scene and witnessed a Belgian Malinois engaging in an attack on an adult male. The Officer tried several non-lethal techniques to halt the assault, receiving help from the Chief of the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department, who arrived with a catch pole,” the press release indicates.
The chief stated that the officer was unable to use his weapon to halt the assault without putting the victim and the public at risk. Approximately 15 minutes after reaching the location, the officer “had to conclude the assault with two lethal strikes to the creature’s head.”
A patient was taken to a hospital by the Laurel Ambulance Service, suffering from serious but nonlife-threatening injuries.
A K-9 from the Montana Highway Patrol was identified as the dog in question. The announcement does not clarify whether a trooper from the Montana Highway Patrol was present at the location or the reason behind the agency’s dog attacking the individual.
Shortly after 2 p.m. on Thursday, MHP Lieutenant Colonel Kyle Hayter issued this statement to MTN:
“Our thoughts are with the victim and his family today. We wish him a speedy recovery. The Laurel Police Department is conducting the investigation into the incident. We will also conduct our own internal investigation.”