The Asbury Park Press reports that a woman called police at about 2:30 p.m. Monday when a German Shepherd-Boxer mix dog was aggressively circling her car. And as officer Johnny Washington attempted to help the woman, the dog gnawed at the officer’s pants and would not let go.
Victor “Buddy” Amato, chief of the Monmouth County SPCA, told the Asbury Park Press that Washington shot the dog once before it ran through the neighborhood and attacked several officers, who also fired shots.
The officers were not injured, but Amato said the officers were justified in shooting the dog because of the threat it posed.
“This dog was uncontrollable,” Amato said. “Once a dog attacks and comes after someone, you don’t want that dog to get away.”
The dog was transported to the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital where it was euthanized Monday night.
The dog’s owner, Rick Gonzalez, of the 200 Block of Myrtle Avenue in Neptune, told the Asbury Park Press, that he was shocked to learn his dog was shot when there were no injuries reported.
He said the dog, named Bundles, had escaped a backyard and was shot in his head, lower neck, ear and chin.
“My family, we are all shaken up about this,” the 22-year-old Gonzalez told the Asbury Park Press. “I just never expected my dog to get shot. He is usually a friendly dog.”
(The Star-Ledger - Jan 9, 2013)
