The Calhoun Co. Sheriff’s Office said a dog lunged at the deputy, who didn’t have time to retreat or find cover, so he shot his firearm.
CALHOUN COUNTY, Mich. — A Calhoun County deputy shot and killed a dog after it lunged at him while he was responding to a report about aggressive dogs in Pennfield Township on Friday.
The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) said around 5:10 p.m., deputies responded to a report of aggressive dogs in the 8000 block of Swift Road.
While deputies were on the way, the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority received calls reporting the same dogs were running loose in the area. The callers said there were three pit bulls involved and they didn’t know who the owner was.
CCSO said the area is a residential neighborhood with kids often playing outside, which heightened safety concerns among people living there.
When deputies arrived, they spoke with people from two separate residences who had called about the dogs.
One person said the dogs had entered his property and attacked his dog, causing minor injuries. Another person said the dogs aggressively charged at her while she was in her own yard.
CCSO said deputies found the three dogs in a side lot near a home. As a deputy approached the dogs in an attempt to secure them in his vehicle, the dogs charged at him.
According to CCSO, the deputy gave loud verbal commands in an effort to deter the dogs, but they continued to come towards him. One of the dogs lunged at the deputy, coming within three to five feet of him.
The deputy didn’t have time to retreat or find cover, CCSO said, so he shot his firearm three times, hitting the closest dog. The other two dogs ran from the scene.
Shortly after the incident, the owners of the dogs arrived and secured the two remaining dogs. The dog shot by the deputy was pronounced dead at the scene.
CCSO personnel offered to take the dead dog to the Calhoun County Animal Shelter, but the owners declined and said they wanted to take the dog home themselves.
According to CCSO, the dogs’ owners were “visibly distraught and agitated.” Deputies said they made an effort to de-escalate the situation and stayed on the scene until the dead dog was taken away.
A CCSO supervisor responded to the scene to provide oversight, documentation and contact information for any necessary follow-up.
“This release is issued in the interest of transparency regarding an unfortunate situation that resulted in the use of force,” CCSO said.
The investigation is still underway and an administrative review is being conducted due to the use of force.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Lieutenant Curtis Smith at (269) 781-0880 or submit an anonymous tip through Silent Observer at (269) 964-3888.
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