The St. Claire County Sheriff’s Office has been facing backlash this week after the release of a disturbing video showing a scared, stray dog being dragged on his side by two catchpoles across the parking lot and then being shot because officers stated the dog had become aggressive.
The incident occurred one week ago on Saturday evening when a family found a stray dog wandering in the freezing cold; the pup had been wearing a harness and dragging a rope, running loose in the area. The family said the was very friendly, and they had been feeding him treats. The dog was then brought to Animal Control for help finding his owners.
When the deputy reportedly opened the hatch of the vehicle, the dog began to growl and apparently became aggressive and bit the deputy twice – once in his arm and hand. The deputy closed the hatch and called for Central Dispatch requesting EMS and hospital emergency attention.
According to the sheriff’s office, back up was dispatched to the location where two deputies secured the dog and using two catchpoles attempted to pull the dog into the shelter. Nonetheless, the dog was in panic mode as his airways were being constricted while being pulled, and continued to be aggressive.
The dog was then shot and killed. According to the sheriff’s office, the deputies stated they would not safely be able to put the dog into a cage.
Detroit Animal Welfare Group (DAWG) stated the family heard the gunshot and were in shock. All they wanted to do was to help the dog be reunited with his owner, and now instead of reuniting the dog with his family, the deputy came out from behind the building and apologized.
The director of DAWG, Kelley LaBonty, stated that although she wasn’t there, and of course there are different opinions as to what happened to the dog, but authorities need to be trained to read body language of scared canines, and in this case when the dog started to growl as the officer opened the hatch, that had likely been a warning; either he was downright frightened or could even have been protective of the family and/or vehicle who had just rescued him.
Nonetheless, the dog being dragged on his side had been unable to catch his breath. What animal wouldn’t fight back?
Sheriff Matt King posted the following statement on the organization’s Facebook page:
This is never the result I would hope for in situations like this. The deputy that attempted to help this dog was sent to the hospital as a result of this dog’s aggression. It is an unfortunate situation that deputies attempt to avoid at all costs, but public safety remains our top priority here at the Sheriff’s Office.
We can all do better. An investigation is underway.
Rest in peace poor boy.
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