NEW YORK -- One of the victims of a dog attack in Owego says an Owego Police officer was justified in shooting the attacking dog.
Stephen Jackson and his girlfriend were walking their own dogs down Main Street Friday evening. They saw a boy struggling to get a hold of his pit bull, Tiger.
Jackson said he took the leash off his own dog, and tried to give it to the boy, who refused. Jackson then left the leash, and continued walking.
As they continued down the road, Jackson says the pit bull charged them from 60 to 70 yards away. It attacked Jackson's dog, and then bit Jackson in the face as he tried to break the two up. Jackson flagged down police, who had already gotten a call about the animal being on the loose.
Jackson saw the dog attack an officer as police tried to throw the boy a harness. He said the dog was vicious, and out of control -- and he feared for the cop's life.
"I thought the dog was going to kill him. That's how vicious that dog was," Jackson said. "And I know that the family has said it was a family pet, but there was something that moment, that night, with that dog that was not right."
When the pit bull finally let go of the first officer -- the dog then went after a second police officer. Jackson said the officer fired two shots, and the animal tried to attack the officer again, despite being hit. That's when he heard the officer fire a third and final shot.
Jackson's testimony backs up the one Action News received from Owego Police -- who also claim the dog was shot three times.
The pit bull's owner, Al Thornton, maintains that the dog was shot six times.
Thornton has spoken out against the OPD since the incident. On Sunday, he told Action News he wants the officer who shot and killed his dog to step down from his position.
Jackson said it's an unfortunate situation for all parties involved -- but he believes the police only did what they needed to.
"Was that force necessary?" Jackson said. "Yes. Unfortunately, yes."
Jackson said at the time of the incident there were elderly people nearby, plus children, and a woman pushing a baby in a stroller.
"The police are here to protect and serve," Jackson said. "They didn't want to hurt that dog."
But he said his heart breaks for the 12-year-old boy who had to witness it all. Jackson said he and the officers tried to comfort him at the scene.
"I tried to help him, but he was inconsolable," Jackson said. "I don't know how long it's going to take him to heal. But, that's who I'm worried about."
(WBNG - Aug 3, 2015)
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