York police said an officer opened fire on two aggressive German Shepherds who were attacking him.One of the dogs died as a result. The condition of the other dog is not known.It happened Sunday morning as York police investigated a pistol-whipping incident that sent a victim to the hospital with serious injuries. The officer was behind a home in the 700 block of Jessop Place when police say the two dogs came at him. Police said one dog bit the officer three times on his right leg.”Once the two dogs charged the officer. One of them bit the officer while the other was very close to him, very aggressive barking. The officer ended up shooting the dog that was barking, shot the other dog as well,” Capt. Dan Lentz said.The shooting was criticized by family members on social media.York police Commissioner Michael Muldrow issued a statement that reads, in part, “It is important to recognize the law allows officers to use force against threatening animals.”Still, Muldrow said he’s sorry the dogs were harmed. He said he is also thankful the officer is safe.The officer, who has not been identified, is a veteran officer.He was treated at a hospital. Police said he received a rabies shot as a precaution.The officer was back on the job Monday.Full statement from commissionerBelow is Muldrow’s full statement. It includes an explanation of what happened, based on witness accounts and body camera footage.”First (once again), my heart sincerely goes out to everyone involved in the incident occuring at the home on Jessop Place (particularly the young child that was around to see it).”As a pet owner the incident is heartbreaking. I too cherish my dog, view them as part of the family and would be greatly upset at the loss. It should never be an Officer’s goal to take a life (people or pets). So, please know I don’t take the feelings of this family lightly.”With that said, after reading the social media account, the reports, and (most importantly) watching the body camera video from Officers on scene (specifically the Officer who had been at the front of the house engaging with the young ladies, and the Officer who had been at the rear and shot the dogs) here’s what we know:”Officers responded earlier that day for a neighborhood dispute, turned physical altercation, that left a Victim at the Hospital with significant injuries from allegedly being pistol whipped by a known actor.”The injuries and the allegation surrounding them constituted a Felony Aggravated Assault.”While still actively investigating, Officers were called back to the area, where Witnesses (on scene) subsequently identified the actors, and directed Officers to the home on Jessop Place (where they were to be).”At the home (per normal Police protocol), Officers immediately positioned themselves both at the front and the rear of the property (the Officer at the rear waiting at the far end of the yard, approx. 20 ft from the adjacent alley).”Officers were then met by the two young ladies, at which time Officers identified themselves and explained why they were there (advising the were looking for the two gentlemen who had just been involved in the physical altercation, brandishing a firearm in the process).”During the conversation, one of the young ladies identified herself as the homeowner, one identified herself as a relative of the accused, with both stating the men were no longer inside the home (and do not live there).”Officers continued to express the need to ‘check’ or confirm that as fact (because of the severity of the allegations and the potential firearm).”After originally refusing, and telling Officers to ‘get a warrant,’ the young lady (who had identified herself as the homeowner) subsequently cooperated, agreeing to allow Officers to search the home (for the men).”While preparing to enter, there was a brief discussion between the homeowner and the Officers in the front about the dogs and people inside, during which she said the dogs weren’t going to like seeing the Officers. The Officers asked for them to be put out back and bring all the people (to include the kids) out front. She placed the dogs on the back deck (where she is seen and heard on the video telling them to ‘get down’).”Officers (from the front) then enter the home and begin to search while the Officer in the rear holds his position at the far end of the 2400 square foot yard.”Shortly afterwards, a small child is seen emerging from the rear of the house alone and approaching the Officer, at which time the two engage briefly, during which the Child asks about his still holstered Taser, and the Officer acknowledges him, before asking the child if he can have his Mom secure the gate on the back deck (as it was merely secured with a propped up baby gate). The boy then walks away, headed back towards the rear of the residence.”Suddenly, the two dogs appear in view (from the Officer’s right) charging towards him. At that time the Officer pulls his firearm and responds, discharging his weapon multiple times, seemingly striking both dogs. One dog then falls, and the second runs off, with the Officer immediately acknowledging he had been ‘bitten.'”Following the incident, other Officers searched and located the second injured dog, and called to return it to family and get care.”The Supervisor and Officers at the scene attempted to follow-up with the family (but they were understandably too upset at the time).”The Officer then went to the Hospital for treatment for ‘three dog bites to his right leg from one or both dogs’ (with one bite puncturing the 1-1/2 inch leather wallet in his pocket).”While it’s important to recognize that the Law permits Officers to Use Force against ‘threatening animals’ in lawful situations (as was in fact the case on this occasion), I recognize these were still beloved family pets to these owners, so (once again) my heart goes out to them (and all who witnessed it).”With that said, while I’m sorry the dogs were harmed, I’m glad the Officer is safe; and I’ll be following up with the family, the Officers involved, my Department team, and City Administration to see if there’s anything else we can do to help them or support that child through the traumatic experience.”
York police said an officer opened fire on two aggressive German Shepherds who were attacking him.
One of the dogs died as a result. The condition of the other dog is not known.
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It happened Sunday morning as York police investigated a pistol-whipping incident that sent a victim to the hospital with serious injuries.
The officer was behind a home in the 700 block of Jessop Place when police say the two dogs came at him. Police said one dog bit the officer three times on his right leg.
“Once the two dogs charged the officer. One of them bit the officer while the other was very close to him, very aggressive barking. The officer ended up shooting the dog that was barking, shot the other dog as well,” Capt. Dan Lentz said.
The shooting was criticized by family members on social media.
York police Commissioner Michael Muldrow issued a statement that reads, in part, “It is important to recognize the law allows officers to use force against threatening animals.”
Still, Muldrow said he’s sorry the dogs were harmed. He said he is also thankful the officer is safe.
The officer, who has not been identified, is a veteran officer.
He was treated at a hospital. Police said he received a rabies shot as a precaution.
The officer was back on the job Monday.
Full statement from commissioner
Below is Muldrow’s full statement. It includes an explanation of what happened, based on witness accounts and body camera footage.
“First (once again), my heart sincerely goes out to everyone involved in the incident occuring at the home on Jessop Place (particularly the young child that was around to see it).
“As a pet owner the incident is heartbreaking. I too cherish my dog, view them as part of the family and would be greatly upset at the loss. It should never be an Officer’s goal to take a life (people or pets). So, please know I don’t take the feelings of this family lightly.
“With that said, after reading the social media account, the reports, and (most importantly) watching the body camera video from Officers on scene (specifically the Officer who had been at the front of the house engaging with the young ladies, and the Officer who had been at the rear and shot the dogs) here’s what we know:
“Officers responded earlier that day for a neighborhood dispute, turned physical altercation, that left a Victim at the Hospital with significant injuries from allegedly being pistol whipped by a known actor.
“The injuries and the allegation surrounding them constituted a Felony Aggravated Assault.
“While still actively investigating, Officers were called back to the area, where Witnesses (on scene) subsequently identified the actors, and directed Officers to the home on Jessop Place (where they were to be).
“At the home (per normal Police protocol), Officers immediately positioned themselves both at the front and the rear of the property (the Officer at the rear waiting at the far end of the yard, approx. 20 ft from the adjacent alley).
“Officers were then met by the two young ladies, at which time Officers identified themselves and explained why they were there (advising the were looking for the two gentlemen who had just been involved in the physical altercation, brandishing a firearm in the process).
“During the conversation, one of the young ladies identified herself as the homeowner, one identified herself as a relative of the accused, with both stating the men were no longer inside the home (and do not live there).
“Officers continued to express the need to ‘check’ or confirm that as fact (because of the severity of the allegations and the potential firearm).
“After originally refusing, and telling Officers to ‘get a warrant,’ the young lady (who had identified herself as the homeowner) subsequently cooperated, agreeing to allow Officers to search the home (for the men).
“While preparing to enter, there was a brief discussion between the homeowner and the Officers in the front about the dogs and people inside, during which she said the dogs weren’t going to like seeing the Officers. The Officers asked for them to be put out back and bring all the people (to include the kids) out front. She placed the dogs on the back deck (where she is seen and heard on the video telling them to ‘get down’).
“Officers (from the front) then enter the home and begin to search while the Officer in the rear holds his position at the far end of the 2400 square foot yard.
“Shortly afterwards, a small child is seen emerging from the rear of the house alone and approaching the Officer, at which time the two engage briefly, during which the Child asks about his still holstered Taser, and the Officer acknowledges him, before asking the child if he can have his Mom secure the gate on the back deck (as it was merely secured with a propped up baby gate). The boy then walks away, headed back towards the rear of the residence.
“Suddenly, the two dogs appear in view (from the Officer’s right) charging towards him. At that time the Officer pulls his firearm and responds, discharging his weapon multiple times, seemingly striking both dogs. One dog then falls, and the second runs off, with the Officer immediately acknowledging he had been ‘bitten.’
“Following the incident, other Officers searched and located the second injured dog, and called to return it to family and get care.
“The Supervisor and Officers at the scene attempted to follow-up with the family (but they were understandably too upset at the time).
“The Officer then went to the Hospital for treatment for ‘three dog bites to his right leg from one or both dogs’ (with one bite puncturing the 1-1/2 inch leather wallet in his pocket).
“While it’s important to recognize that the Law permits Officers to Use Force against ‘threatening animals’ in lawful situations (as was in fact the case on this occasion), I recognize these were still beloved family pets to these owners, so (once again) my heart goes out to them (and all who witnessed it).
“With that said, while I’m sorry the dogs were harmed, I’m glad the Officer is safe; and I’ll be following up with the family, the Officers involved, my Department team, and City Administration to see if there’s anything else we can do to help them or support that child through the traumatic experience.”
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