PENNFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A case in which a Calhoun County deputy shot and killed an “aggressive” dog is under review at the Calhoun County Prosecutor’s Office.
Deputies were called to Swift Road near Capital Avenue NE at 5:11 p.m. Friday on a report of aggressive dogs in the Pennfield Township neighborhood.
As deputies were en route, more callers reported the three dogs were running loose in the area with no owner in sight, according to Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office.
“We have to feel safe in our neighborhood,” Dianna Ramon, a Pennfield Township resident, said. “It is very concerning. There are a lot of children in the neighborhood, they [the dogs] should be on a leash or caged up.”
Ramon, who lives in the neighborhood, has two granddaughters: 7 and 12-years-old. She told News Channel 3 that she is worried about their safety.
“The 7-year-old comes here every weekend,” Ramon said. “We walk, ride bikes around the block, I am scared to go over there.”
When they arrived Friday, one of the deputies approached the dogs to secure them in his car.
However, the dogs charged at the deputy and continued to move forward despite verbal commands that aimed to deter the animals, deputies said.
One dog lunged at the deputy within three to five feet, and with no time to retreat or seek cover, the deputy shot at the dog three times, according to the sheriff’s office.
“It’s sad that the dog was shot, but if there was an aggressive dog, the officer felt his life was in danger,” Nancy Ryan, another Pennfield Township resident, said.
The dogs’ owners arrived shortly after the incident and got their other two dogs inside.
Calhoun County Prosecutor David Gilbert told News Channel 3 Tuesday the owners can be held responsible, regardless of if their dogs hurt someone or not, as they were not properly secured or attended to.
“Usually you are dealing with a stray dog, it’s a misdemeanor, dogs running at large, your dog is supposed to be under control at all times,” Gilbert said.
When reviewing the case, Gilbert is expected to decide whether or not charges will be filed against the owners.
As of Tuesday, the case remains under investigation due to the officer’s use of force.
“The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office released information in the interest of transparency regarding an unfortunate situation that resulted in the use of force,” deputies said in a release Saturday.
News Channel 3 has submitted a Freedom of Information Act Request for the deputy’s body camera video, which is being processed.
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