Police officer kills neighbor's rare-breed dog
10:22 PM PDT on Thursday, April 29, 2004

By ELISA HAHN / KING 5 News


KIRKLAND, Wash. - An off-duty police officer shot and killed his neighbor's
rare-breed, 9-month-old dog.

Kirkland has a leash law and the dog was without its owner and on someone
else's property, but police say they are investigating whether this off-duty
police officer went too far by pulling out and firing gun.

The shooting happened in Kirkland Thursday evening in the 8000-block of
122nd Avenue N.E.

The officer claimed a pit bull lunged at him in his own backyard and he had
no choice but to shoot him.

But the dog's owner said the dog is no pit bull, but an Argentine Dogo name
Chopper who's never been aggressive.

Police said the off-duty officer was not injured and, while the officer had
a right to protect himself, they are investigating to see if this was a case
of animal cruelty.

Police say the officer, who works for Kent Police, fired several rounds at
the dog.

They said the officer's wife and baby were at home at the time.

Animal Control said the dog was only 9 months old, but weighed at least 75
pounds.

The Argentine Dogo breed is described as loyal, intelligent and playful, and
can be aggressive with other dogs on occasion.





man, i hate people sometimes. i'm not surprised this happened in kirkland
though, where any dog that looks like a pit bull must be muzzled whenever
it's outside the house.

-kelly