WICHITA, Kan. – A Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputy shot a dog while trying to serve a protection order in Planeview.
It happened on Wednesday around 2 p.m., near Pawnee and George Washington Boulevard.
A deputy said she announced herself before entering the gated area of the house. But the dog owner said that did not happen, as their front door was wide open.
“Right amount of force is read the signs and not come in the yard in the first place. And, there is no need for force with Magic because she’s a docile dog. She’s doing what she’s supposed to do,” said Michael Morgan, dog owner.
Sedgwick County deputy shoots family dog while serving protection order: https://t.co/jIPjW23ZxU #KAKEnews pic.twitter.com/YxtRCmUvfk
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The Sheriff’s Office said the deputy was justified in using her weapon.
“When a dog is lunging at you, it’s a very dangerous situation. The deputy is well within policy to use force to protect herself from injury in that situation, which is what she did,” said Lt Lin Dehning, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.
Morgan described his two-year-old pit bull as a protective yet gentle dog, that gave birth to litter just two months ago.
“She loved running, kids, everything. Just a good dog. She was a Planeview resident,” said Morgan.
Morgan could not afford the medical bills and had to put her down. The deputy was not hurt.
“It’s the last thing we want to do is injure anybody’s pet. But when that pet is attacking a deputy, then the deputy has no choice,” said Dehning.
During any situation where a deputy discharges his/her weapon, the Professional Standards Unit investigates the case.
Dehning said the defendant in the protection order did not live at the house where the incident occurred.
Source: http://www.kake.com