Dog fight leads to shots fired by police
Updated: November 19, 2012
Update: 11:35 pm, 11/18/12, Sunday
CHAMPAIGN -- Police shoot a dog being attacked by a pit bull on accident. A girl was walking her laborador when a stray pit bull attacked it.
The dogs started fighting and a witness called police. Police say the lab's owner lost control of the leash and it was tangled between the two animals.
An officer shot at the pit bull multiple times but both dogs were hit. The lab was pronounced dead at the scene.
Original: 10:35 pm, 11/17/12, Saturday
CHAMPAIGN -- A family says the police killed their dog by mistake. It happened on the corner of Crescent Drive and John Street.
The Saathoff family is standing just feet away from their dead labrador who they say was shot by a police officer. Their daughter took the dog for a walk around 5:30 Saturday evening when a pit bull ran up and attacked him.
The dogs started fighting and a witness called police. Investigators say the officer on scene shot at the pit bull multiple times. However, the family says those bullets missed and hit their dog instead.
"I'm devastated. He's been our family dog for years. And he's a wonderful, wonderful dog. He's not a fighter, he was a cuddler and a wonderful dog. I want someone to give me some answers. Why did it happen? It doesn't make any bit of sense," says Kathy Saathoff.
"His actions were to try and save this dog. Clearly in this case the dog is deceased. That's not what he wanted or what I wanted and I know we both are sorry for their loss," says police sergeant Mike Crone.
Police aren't confirming bullets hit and killed the dog but say they're investigating, which is standard procedure anytime an officer fires a weapon. The pit bull was injured in the fight and in custody of animal control.
CHAMPAIGN -- Police shoot a dog being attacked by a pit bull on accident. A girl was walking her laborador when a stray pit bull attacked it.
The dogs started fighting and a witness called police. Police say the lab's owner lost control of the leash and it was tangled between the two animals.
An officer shot at the pit bull multiple times but both dogs were hit. The lab was pronounced dead at the scene.
Original: 10:35 pm, 11/17/12, Saturday
CHAMPAIGN -- A family says the police killed their dog by mistake. It happened on the corner of Crescent Drive and John Street.
The Saathoff family is standing just feet away from their dead labrador who they say was shot by a police officer. Their daughter took the dog for a walk around 5:30 Saturday evening when a pit bull ran up and attacked him.
The dogs started fighting and a witness called police. Investigators say the officer on scene shot at the pit bull multiple times. However, the family says those bullets missed and hit their dog instead.
"I'm devastated. He's been our family dog for years. And he's a wonderful, wonderful dog. He's not a fighter, he was a cuddler and a wonderful dog. I want someone to give me some answers. Why did it happen? It doesn't make any bit of sense," says Kathy Saathoff.
"His actions were to try and save this dog. Clearly in this case the dog is deceased. That's not what he wanted or what I wanted and I know we both are sorry for their loss," says police sergeant Mike Crone.
Police aren't confirming bullets hit and killed the dog but say they're investigating, which is standard procedure anytime an officer fires a weapon. The pit bull was injured in the fight and in custody of animal control.
Comments
why would you shoot at a dog like that. there should of been a animal rescue there you dont just shoot a at dog like that that to me is inhuman
Francisco F.
January 28, 2013 at 10:17 pm
I have kept all breeds of rescue dogs at my house during a transport. All of the pit bulls I've had were friendly. I think they get a bad reputation because of the way people treat them. Right now we hear about a lot of pit bull attacks, but it is not the breed's fault. For some reason they seem to be the dog that is trained to fight. At least that's how it seems to me.
I would like to say I'm sorry to the Saathoff's. There is nothing worse than losing a family member. Nothing will replace him and I wish it had not happened.
Theresa S.
November 19, 2012 at 10:14 pm
Kris K, as a RESPONSIBLE pit bull owner I take offense to your comment!! It is not the dogs fault, it is the ignorant, uneducated dog owners fault! Blame the deed not the breed, if it was another lab attacking another lab would you have made the same comment? Most likely no!!
melissa m.
November 19, 2012 at 11:41 am
Very sad story. I feel for the owners. We have a pitbull epidemic in this community that needs to be controlled. I fear walking the neighborhoods for that very reason and I would NEVER trust walking my dog. The other part that bothers me is that I question our safety around police officers without adequate firearm training. There have been several stories coming up lately about officers shooting things other than what they are aiming for. I understand the Sergeant taking up for his officer, but I think he should spend more time at the range if he is going to continue to fire his weapon.
Kris K.
November 19, 2012 at 9:24 am
The Labrador that was killed belonged to my friends'. He was a wonderful boy! He had an amazing personality, and was so well trained it was almost hard to believe. This did not need to happen to their family pet, or to their daughter who was forced to witness her dog being killed by the police officer that was actually trying to save him. As angry and sad as I am right now, the brunt of all my feeling are directed toward the owners of the other dog. Why was your dog loose? Where they even out looking for their dog? Did they even know he was missing? Because of their inability to contain their dog, my friends have lost theirs.
Kelli B.
November 18, 2012 at 9:49 am
