Thursday, June 30, 2016

Canada: Calgary police shoot and kill "pit bull-type" dog after officer attacked during drug raid

CANADA -- Calgary cops were forced to gun down a “pit bull-type” dog that latched onto an officer’s arm during a drug raid in southwest Calgary Wednesday.

After receiving a public tip, police launched a three-week investigation that led them to a home in the 2300 block of 19 St. S.W., in a residential area.

Officers executed a warrant at the home at 9 a.m., forcing entry. As they entered, a “pit bull-type” dog lunged at a Tac Team member and latched onto his left arm.

The officer tried to pull away, but the dog had locked its jaw on his arm, said deputy police Chief Ray Robitaille. Another officer shot and killed the animal.

“Time was of the essence and lethal force was the only option available at that time to immediately have that dog release,” Robitaille said.

“It was right in the initial stages, so we had the whole rest of the house that had to be cleared.”

The officer was taken to hospital and required upwards of a dozen stitches to close the “serious” bite wound. It’s not known whether he sustained any long-term damage to his arm.

Two people at the home were arrested. One of them was known to police, Robitaille said.

The dog attacked on its own, without orders from an owner, Robitaille said. Its exact breed, or mix of breeds, was still being investigated Wednesday.

Cocaine, marijuana and “a substantial amount of cash” were seized, but police have yet to determine exact amounts.

An hour after the first search, police executed a second and connected high-risk warrant in the 200 block of Coral Springs Cir. N.E.

The first house was the “storefront” for drug sales, while the second was a “stash house,” Robitaille said. The situation was what police call a “dial-a-dope” operation, in which buyers call dealers to arrange sales.

Several pit bull type dogs were also located at the second residence.

Robitaille said it’s very unusual for dogs to attack during forced-entry situations.

“Whenever we run into dogs at a search warrant, most will be quite passive, even breeds that would traditionally be viewed as aggressive,” he said.

Charges against three men are pending as police continue to process evidence from the scenes.

(Calgary Sun - June 30, 2016)

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