Police called to help neglected dog shoot it dead: report

A tragic situation went from bad to worse in Evansville, Illinois, after police who responded to complaints about animal neglect ended up shooting the dog they were summoned to help, WISH reported.

Officers "say animal control had been called 16 times with neglect concerns about the dog. Police say this led to a request for police to assist removing the dog from the premises," reported Jason Ronimous. After authorities had been at the premises for 30 minutes, "officers and animal control attempted to safely remove the dog and instructed its owner to leash the dog to walk it to the animal control vehicle."

The dog, who reportedly was being kept in an "open-air style kennel with a tarp wrapped around two sides" in conditions so cold the water in its bowl had frozen solid, then charged at police as the owner was trying to leash it.

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Police said that they had "observed the dog for signs of playfulness or normal behavior but became concerned when the dog’s approach escalated into aggressive behavior, including jumping up with its mouth open in an attacking manner within very close proximity to the officer. In response to the threat, the officer discharged his duty-issued handgun, firing three rounds at the dog. The dog succumbed to its injuries."

The owner ended up with a fine for animal neglect.