SLCPD officer shoots dog after it bites, injures them

SALT LAKE CITY – An officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department shot a dog Sunday morning after it bit and injured them.

According to a release from the SLCPD, police were called to a convenience store on North Temple Street at approximately 3:15 a.m. when an employee reported people trespassing.

Two police officers “encountered a large group in the parking lot” upon arrival, the release states. The officers then reportedly requested additional units to come to the convenience store.

Police said some people in the group began to walk away, so officers told them to stay so they could investigate the criminal trespassing that was reported. The release noted the area “has experienced recurring public safety challenges.”

As an officer approached the group, police said a dog began barking at the officer “and then quickly lunged at the officer, biting him.” The dog reportedly had a leash and a collar, but nobody was holding the leash, “allowing the dog to move freely.”

Police said the injured officer got away from the dog, drew his firearm, and told the dog’s owner to “take control of the dog.”

The owner got the dog under control, and the officer “notified dispatch of the dog bite but continued with the investigation,” the release said.

Investigators said the dog’s owner handed the dog to another person after the officer was bitten, and the person began walking through the parking lot with the dog.

Another officer attempted to take the dog for animal services, then the dog “began jumping and acting aggressively as the handler struggled to maintain control,” police said.

The dog’s handler lost control of the dog who broke free and reportedly charged at the officer. “Based on preliminary information, the dog may have slipped from its collar,” the release said.

Police said the officer repeatedly told the handler to get the dog under control, and the officer “began running and walking backward to create distance.”

The handler could not get control of the dog, and other officers reportedly rushed to help. “At that point, the dog turned and charged toward the first officer who had initially been bitten,” the release said.

The officer shot at the dog, who was then critically injured, police said.

The dog’s owner then ran towards the dog, police said, and was “temporarily detained for safety and the preservation of evidence.”

Police said the dog was later euthanized, and after evidence was collected, SLCPD officers and animal services let the dog’s owner have a private moment alone with her dog. Officers said they returned some of the dog’s property to the owner and said she could get her dog’s remains at a later time. Then, police drove the dog’s owner home.

The injured officer was reportedly evaluated at the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

“This is a difficult situation for everyone involved,” Brian Redd, chief of the SLCPD, said. “I understand how people deeply care for their animals, and I recognize the pain this dog’s owner and those who knew this dog are experiencing. At the same time, our officers were faced with a dangerous and rapidly evolving situation. The officers were forced to make a difficult, split-second decision to protect themselves. None of our officers ever want to be placed in these types of situations but our priority will always be the safety of our officers and community.”

Police said no arrests or citations were issued to those reported trespassing. “Officers identified those criminally trespassing and gave verbal warnings,” the release said.

This incident is still under investigation.

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