Police shoot dog during search

A Moutere Valley man is ‘‘more angry than he can explain’’ after police shot his pitbull terrier while carrying out a search on his family’s property.

The incident happened last Friday afternoon, while police and the armed offenders squad were searching for a wanted man.

After police left the property, the family were told that their dog, Mud, had been shot and killed during the search.

Owner Todd Douglas said the search came without warning, and police were at the wrong address. ‘‘I was fixing my bike and next thing had rifles pointed at me.’’

He said police took the family away from the property, where they searched for three hours. ‘‘We told them many times about our dogs . . . we told them no-one was there and that we were scared for the safety of our animals.

‘‘It wasn’t until everyone had left they told us they had shot our dog.’’

A police spokesperson said the wanted man, who had committed violent offences and was believed to have access to firearms, was not found at the property.

The spokesperson said that while two dogs at the property were secured by police, a third was found while a building was being cleared. After attacking a police dog, which was unharmed, the dog was shot and killed.

Douglas said he was devastated and ‘‘more angry than I can explain’’ over the shooting.

He said police had yet to respond to his questions, and that the search warrant was for the neighbouring property.

The police spokesperson said it was a ‘‘rare occurrence’’ for police to shoot an animal.

‘‘We don’t want to be shooting or injuring dogs, or anyone. However, the actions of our staff are driven by the need to protect their own safety, that of our police dogs, and of members of the public.

‘‘The decision to use a firearm is never taken lightly.’’

‘‘We told [police] . . . that we were scared for the safety of our animals.’’

Todd Douglas, owner