An Auburn police officer shot a dog, claiming the dog was running toward them and about to attack, while the owner claims their dog was actually running away.

On May 13, Auburn police were dispatched to the 1800 block of C Place Southeast in response to a call about a dog attacking a child.

When police arrived, firefighters from Valley Regional Fire Authority were already on the scene and attending to the victim, an 11-year-old girl who had been bitten on the arm. The victim ended up needing stitches for her injuries.

Auburn police claim that as the officer was approaching the victim and firefighters, two dogs came from around a vehicle. Auburn Police Department said the officer backed away from the dogs, but the dogs began running toward the officer and appeared to target the officer.

The officer then shot at the dogs multiple times, hitting one dog, which was later euthanized. The other dog remains with its owner, the police department said.

The Auburn Police Department said bodycam footage backs up the officer’s account. The Auburn Reporter has requested the bodycam footage in question.

The owners of the dog that was killed claim their dog, Pebbles, was not running toward the officer when the officer shot her six times, but was in fact running away from the officer.

Pebbles’ owners created a GoFundMe to raise funds for an investigation into the actions of Auburn police and raise awareness around police malpractice while dealing with animals.

Article Source: Kent Reporter