WARNING: The video above may be considered graphic to some.
TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – A recently released internal investigation found that Toledo Police officers were justified in shooting a dog while executing a search warrant.
13 Action News obtained the body camera video of the day the warrant was executed on April 9.
The footage shows a group of SWAT and VICE Narcotics officers heading towards a building on the 1200 block of Starr Avenue in Toledo.
The search warrant was related to a drug operation where a confidential informant purchased cocaine at a different location back in March, according to police documents.
Video shows the officers using a battering ram to knock open the entrance of the multi-unit building on Starr Avenue. As they go through the door, they hear a dog barking inside one of the units in the home. It was the unit they had a warrant to search.
A “Beware of dog” sign adorned the entrance of the apartment unit.
Officers checked the doorknob and found it was unlocked. The team starts announcing their presence, shouting “police, police search warrant!”
The dog barking gets louder and the person inside yells, “Let me put the dog down!” to the officers.
Officers opened the door and the dog ran out. Video shows the officers fire two shots, leaving the dog injured on the ground.
The team enters the apartment to conduct the search, demanding that the person inside get on the ground.
Another shot rang out, hitting the dog. Documents reviewing the incident note that officers saw the dog attempting to bite at them while lying on the ground.
After securing the apartment, the officers shot the dog one more time to end its life.
Police documents identify the dog as a Cane Corso. Officers described it as a “large,” “hostile,” and “vicious” dog, noting they shot the animal in defense of their team.
After searching the unit and the basement of the building, officers cleared out. The video does not show them finding anything incriminating.
As of Friday, nearly one month after the search warrant was executed, no arrests were made, or arrest warrants filed.
A police investigation into the team’s actions exonerated officers from any disciplinary action.
The landlord at the apartment building told 13 Action News the tenant involved in the search warrant has since moved out on his own accord.
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