WISCONSIN -- Tomah police shot and killed a dog Tuesday evening that tried to bite two children and charged at an officer.
A boy used his skateboard to fend off the mixed-breed dog (WEAU reports it as a pit bull) until bystanders helped the kids escape, according to police. Officers found the dog standing in the street and it approached them aggressively.
During the standoff the dog again charged toward the children when a man attempted to retrieve the girl’s bicycle. The officers used pepper spray twice but were unable to subdue the dog, which lunged at an officer with bared teeth, according to police.
Homeowner Justin Towne said police called him just before 7:30 p.m. asking him to come help.
He arrived expecting to call the dog, Cash, and put him inside but was told the dog had been shot and retreated into the Hollister Avenue house.
Towne said he was reluctant to go inside with the agitated, wounded animal, which belonged to his nephew, and gave officers permission to enter the home and put the dog out of its misery.
Cash was shot a final time on the living room floor — “the first time ever he stayed off the furniture,” Towne said.
No citations were issued.
Towne said he didn’t know how Cash got loose or why the usually good-natured dog became so agitated.
He didn’t fault police.
“It’s a traumatic, unfortunate thing. But it happens,” he said. “I have to place the priority on the protection of human beings over an animal. The police were doing their job.”
(LaCrosse Tribune - July 14, 2011)
