A police officer in York County shot two dogs that were attacking him, killing one of them, during a home investigation Sunday morning.
The incident prompted the release of a statement by York City Police Commissioner Michael Muldrow on Monday afternoon.
Police responded to a home on Jessop Place, in the area of York College, after reports of a “neighborhood dispute” that turned into a fight. Police said the fight caused a person to be sent to the hospital with significant injuries after they were pistol-whipped by an identified person.
The victim’s injuries and the allegation surrounding the neighborhood dispute resulted in a felony aggravated assault charge, police said.
Police were called back to the home on Jessop Place, where witnesses at the scene identified the people involved.
Police were met by two young women, one who identified herself as the homeowner and the other as a relative of the accused.
Both told police the men were no longer inside the home and stated they did not live there.
Police said they needed to “check” or confirm if both men were inside the home due to the severity of the allegations and the potential firearm.
“After originally refusing, and telling police 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,” police said.
As they were getting ready to enter, police were warned about dogs who “weren’t going to like seeing officers,” police said.
Police asked if the dogs could be placed in the back, which they were, and to bring everyone, including the children, out of the home.
One of the police officers went inside and searched the home while another officer stood in the rear part of the home.
Police said a child was seen emerging from the rear of the house alone to ask the officer about his holstered Taser. After a brief conversation, police told the child to ask if he could have his mom secure the gate on the back deck, as it was merely secured with a propped-up baby gate.
The boy then walked away toward the rear of the residence.
The officer who was positioned in the backyard then saw two dogs “charging towards him,” leading him to fire his weapon multiple times, hitting both dogs, police said. One dog then fell, and the other one ran off but was later found and returned to the family.
The officer immediately acknowledged he had been “bitten” and was sent to the hospital to treat three dog bites to his right leg from one or both dogs. One of the bites punctured the inch-and-a-half leather wallet in his pocket, police said.
Police attempted to follow up with the family, “but they were understandably too upset at the time,” Muldrow wrote in his statement.
He noted in the release that “his heart goes out to everyone involved in the incident.”
“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],” he said.
“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].
While it’s important to recognize that the Law permits Officers to Use Force against “threatening animals” in lawful situations, Muldrow wrote, “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].
“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,” Muldrow said. “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.”
The injured dog’s condition is unclear.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
