A Spokane Valley officer shot and killed a dog after police say the dog bit him several times Wednesday afternoon outside a Greenacres residence.
The officer, who has not been named, was at the property to return keys to the homeowner's son who lives at the home at 20215 E. Sprague Ave.
"He didn't feel comfortable leaving those items outside the gate," Spokane Valley police spokesman Craig Chamberlin said.
The officer was walking down a long driveway when he suffered bites on his arms and legs. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The yard is clearly marked by multiple "Beware of Dog" signs.
Chamberlin said he's not sure if the officer saw the dog before he entered the yard. He also said he did not know why the officer had the son's keys.
The homeowner, Brad Beck, rushed home after a neighbor called to tell him his son's dog had been shot.
"He carries Mace, why didn't he Mace him?" Beck said. "He didn't need to shoot him."
Beck said the officer was trespassing and should have left the keys by the gate. He also was angered that police did not allow him to rush the dog to a veterinarian.
"It took him 30 to 40 minutes to die," Beck said.
But Chamberlin said it was important to wait until the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service arrived.
"The deputy was attacked by the dog," Chamberlin said. "That's why we wanted to have SCRAPS here."
Beck said the dog, named Cash, was a 7-year-old Siberian Husky mix. Police say the dog was a pit bull mix. A photo provided by a family member shows a dog that looks more like a pit bull.
Later, Beck complained of chest pains. Police called an ambulance, but he declined to be transported.
Copyright 2014 - The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
