A Vallejo family whose dog was shot
and killed by a police officer Wednesday is demanding an apology from the city.
Police, meanwhile, have expressed
regret over the incident, but have stopped short of taking responsibility for
the death of "Belle," the family's 11-year-old Labrador mix. An
official review is pending, department officials said Thursday.
The incident occurred about 12:10
p.m. Wednesday at 47 Kentucky St. Vallejo Police Officer Chase Calhoun was
following up on an identity theft report filed by homeowner Erika Gregory, Lt.
Ken Weaver said.
Gregory, who was home at the time,
apparently didn't know the officer was coming, her husband Loren Mollner said
Thursday.
"If she did know she would have
kept the dogs inside," Mollner said.
Weaver said Calhoun checked for dogs
before entering the fenced yard. After seeing none, the officer entered through
the gate and walked about 15 feet toward the porch. Then, suddenly, two
medium-sized dogs came charging around the house from the backyard, Weaver
said.
"They were lunging and
snarling," Weaver said. "He tried to back up and get out of the yard,
but both dogs closed the distance on the officer. In defense, he fired two
rounds, killing the dog closest to him." Calhoun then retreated out of the
yard and called for backup, Weaver said.
When Gregory emerged from the house,
she was shocked, Mollner said. "The officer was standing on the other side
of the fence saying,
'I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I was
scared.' "
The other dog, "Flicka," a
14-year-old Australian shepherd mix, was not injured. A third family dog,
"Holly," a Labrador puppy, was inside.
Mollner said he's baffled by the
officer's use of deadly force. He said the family's dogs sometimes get excited
and bark and snarl when strangers come in the yard, but he said he's not aware
of them ever attacking anyone.
"He shouldn't have been afraid
for his life," said Mollner, who wasn't home at the time. "He could
have just kicked or shoved the dog or turned and left the yard." Mollner
said the family's children, ages 5 and 7, were shocked to learn
"Belle" had been killed after they came home from school. He said the
family may explore legal options, but he mostly wants a formal apology from the
officer and the police department.
"The kids were in shock"
he said. "I've got counseling scheduled for (Friday). The police
department needs to do something, not just circle the wagons." Vallejo
animal control officer David Sidie said there are no reports on record of
aggressive dogs at the family's home. One report, however, had been filed for
barking, he said.