On Monday, Feb. 25, an Everett, Wash. police officer fatally shot a pit bull on the front porch of a home. According to KOMO 4 News, the officer was responding to a call regarding two loose dogs in the 5400 block of Rockefeller Avenue.
The dog's owner is livid over the death of his pit bull, "Bubs."
Aaron Snell with the Everett Police Department stated that there had been a report of two pit bulls running loose and chasing cars. The responding police officer arrived at the scene at approximately 11:00 a.m.
When the responding officer arrived, the dogs in question were no longer visible. The officer then went to a home where there had reportedly been prior complaints about aggressive dogs.
According to Snell, no one was home, but as he was leaving, the responding officer found two dogs on the porch. Snell stated that the dogs confronted and trapped the officer.
One dog ran toward the officer, but he kicked the dog away. When the pit bull advanced a second time, the officer fired and fatally shot the dog.
The dog's owner, Matthew Shong, was upset over the incident, stating that the dog was part of the family.
"It's really heartbreaking that things like this happen all the time," Shong stated.
"People assume these animals are aggressive, and officers all over the country are just killing these pit bulls.
"This is unjust for these families to have to go through this hurt and pain every day, because some officer is gung-ho and just ready to strike an animal down," Shong added.
In Nov. of 2010, a Newfoundland named Rosie was fatally shot by the Des Moines, Wash. police. A settlement in her owners' civil suit was reached just last month.
Everett police stated that deadly force was likely justified, based upon the reports of independent witnesses. Snell also stated that the responding officer was unhurt and that the second dog was captured and returned to Mr. Shong.
Animal control retrieved the dog's body and a full investigation will be conducted.
Updates to this story will be posted as they occur.
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