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Danville officer shoots and kills 12 pound dog; owners don’t know why - June 10, 2009
5:30 p.m.
Danville's Police chief spoke out on what happened the day an officer shot and killed a dog in a neighborhood.
At a news conference Thursday afternoon, Police Chief Philip Broadfoot said the dog named "Killer" did not attack the officer, but was "coming at him aggressively."
Broadfoot also named the officer who shot and killed the dog. He is Murrill McLean, a 43-year-old and longtime Danville resident. McLean joined the Danville Police Department in 2005.
"Killer" the dachshund was only 12 pounds, but the story of his death has weighed heavily enough on the people of Danville for the police chief to hold a news conference almost three days later.
"No, I don't think the size of the dog matters," Chief Broadfoot said.
Police say it happened quickly, and the officer reacted as if the dog had rabies.
Police have confirmed the dog did not have rabies.
We asked if the bullet was necessary.
"We can debate that all day long. We weren't standing there at that time," Broadfoot said.
Killer's owner, Tawaiin Harper, doesn't buy the police chief's explanation.
"A human could come up and say boo. Does that mean you should turn around and shoot him?" Harper said.
"No I don't think he overreacted," Broadfoot said.
Police say although Killer never bit anyone, they have proof he was aggressive.
The owner says Killer never hurt anyone.
"Killer hasn't done anything in the past as far as aggressiveness," Harper said.
Neither side is budging and neither can bring back the 12 pound miniature dachshund caught up in the middle.
"He's a family member and he should be here today," Harper said.
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4:15 p.m.
From Lindsey Henley, in the field
WSLS Reporter
lhenley@wsls.com
Danville's Police chief spoke out on what happened the day an officer shot and killed a dog in a neighborhood.
At a news conference Thursday afternoon, Police Chief Philip Broadfoot said the dog named "Killer" did not attack the officer, but was "coming at him aggressively."
Broadfoot also named the officer who shot and killed the dog. He is Murrill McLean, a 43-year-old and longtime Danville resident. McLean joined the Danville Police Department in 2005.
I'll have what else the chief had to say, as well as reaction from the dog's owner about what the police called a "history or agression" tonight on WSLS at 6:00 p.m.
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