Service weapon trumps bad azz puppy every time.
Boulder had a similiar situation last week.
Phil.
Police shoot pit bull in park
Dog charged officer, reportedly bit two people
By Eric Schmidt, Camera Staff Writer
June 5, 2006
Boulder police shot and killed a pit bull at Eben G. Fine Park on Sunday following reports the dog bit two people and charged an officer.
Police were called to the popular tubing and picnic spot along Boulder Creek about 2:30 p.m. on reports of an aggressive dog at large, Sgt. Kurt Matthews said. He said the dog had bitten two people at the park and ran toward an officer with its teeth bared.
Officer Jeremy McGee yelled at the dog to stay back, and then at its owner to restrain the animal, which continued to advance, police spokeswoman Julie Brooks said. McGee then fired two shots, killing the dog.
"Our officers' safety comes first," Brooks said. "The officer would not have fired if he did not feel threatened by the animal. I feel confident that he would not have discharged his firearm if he didn't feel he had to."
The dog's owner, Sarah Mallory, of Erie, cried as police interviewed witnesses to the shooting. Her clothing was stained with blood.
"They killed my dog," Mallory said. "She wasn't going to do anything, and they shot her."
Mallory said the female pit bull, Nakita, was abused as a puppy, making her timid and scared of men. She said Nakita got off her leash and was probably confused and afraid, but not vicious.
The dog "needed a little bit of help," but was responding to training, Mallory said.
"She was a good dog," she said. "I took her everywhere with me and never had any problems. She was learning so much, and now I'm covered in her (expletive) blood."
Brooks, the police spokeswoman, said McGee will remain on duty following the incident. She said the two dog bite victims were treated at the scene.
Mallory, 18, was cited for having a dog at large and an aggressive animal prohibited, Brooks said.
Gwen Miale and Lauren Hohenstein, both of Boulder, walked their dogs through the park Sunday. They questioned the officer's use of force in a crowded, public place.
"I think our biggest fear is just unloading a round in a park," Hohenstein said.
Miale said she understands the need to control an aggressive dog, but she wonders why police could not have tranquilized the animal instead of shooting it.
"They should have something to handle something like this," she said. "Can you imagine how traumatic it must have been for all these kids to see?"
But Teresa Fischer said she doesn't fault the officer's response. The Berthoud resident said she was at a birthday party at the park and encouraged victims to call authorities after the dog lunged three times at people walking by.
"In my opinion, he had no other choice unless he wanted to be missing part of his leg," Fischer said. "I love dogs, but he was offered no choice. All these people around could have been attacked."
