Danville police chief defends fatal shooting of dog by officer

Danville Police Chief Phillip Broadfoot addresses the media during a press conference regarding the shooting of a miniature dachshund named Killer on Monday. (Register & Bee/Traci White)

DANVILLE -- Media General News Service

Danville's police chief says one of his officers acted properly by shooting and killing an 11-year-old miniature dachshund that ran at him while growling.

Neighbors said Killer, who died Monday night after being shot once, was a sweet, mild-mannered dog.

"He just kind of walked up and down the neighborhood and didn't bother anybody," said Jenine Edmunds, who lives on the same cul-de-sac as Killer's owners, Tawaiin Harper and his family. "He was just a little house dog."

Killer greeted Harper every time he came home. Whenever a car pulled into the cul-de-sac, Killer barked to let everyone know that someone new was there.

"He was the security guard around here," Harper said.

Police Chief Philip Broadfoot declined to name the officer who shot the dog while serving two outstanding warrants to a neighbor.

As the officer returned to his car, "he was surprised by a growling dog running through the yard directly at him from the rear, leaving him with just seconds to consider his options," according to a news release from Broadfoot.

The options, according to the chief: running to the squad car, distracting the dog or using pepper spray, a baton or firearm.

Broadfoot said the dog lunged at the officer and attacked him.

"Shooting a dog which is actively presenting a threat to an officer is within the department's policy," according to the release.

Harper said he drove home from work to try to comfort his wife and two children after they called to say Killer had been shot to death by the officer.

The officer's supervisor, a lieutenant, "was very, very remorseful," Harper said. "He kept apologizing. And he said, 'I know apologizing can't bring the dog back, but I just don't know what to say.'"

Harper said friends and neighbors have asked whether the family will get another dog.

"You can't replace Killer. He's one of a kind. I'm still trying to soak it in because the dog had been with us so long. He was a family member. They took a family member away."