(Update) APD officer shoots, kills dog inside store

KLBJ via Fox news. ^ | 7/5/2013 | Newsroom

[Arrowhead1952]

An Austin police officer shot and killed a dog Wednesday night in a north Austin pet store. Investigators say it happened after a dog attacked another dog. The shooting took place, shortly after 7:00 Wednesday night, inside the Petco store near Lakeline Mall. Two pet owners, one with a pit bull the other with a small dog like a Maltese entered the store at the same time. Both were using a leash. "The pit bull got aggressive toward the Maltese and apparently there was an altercation between the dogs. The owners were able to separate the dogs and went to opposite sides of the store," said Assistant Chief Steve Deaton. But then, according to Assistant Chief Steve Deaton the pit bull got away from its 16-year-old owner and attacked the smaller dog.

The pit bull actually had the Maltese in its mouth and was shaking it, apparently ready to kill the other dog," said Assistant Chief Deaton. Deaton said unlike with the first encounter, this time, the customers in the store could not separate the animals. Officer Leslie Lyons, who was working an overtime security job at the store, was called over to help. "She had the foresight to tell the people, please move out of the way, and she got everybody out of the way, there was nobody in the background, it obviously made her, her reaction a few seconds longer, but it was for the safety of the people once she had clear shot where she knew no person would be hit she took the shot, two all together," said Assistant Chief Deaton.

The pit bull was killed and the small dog was taken to an animal hospital. "I feel bad for both owners," said Jim Karp who takes his dog to the store. Karp has never seen a violent incident at the Lakeline Petco. "I'm kind of curious why the police officer didn't use his Taser because all the police officers have Tasers," said Karp. Officer Lyons was in uniform but it's unclear if she had a Taser or pepper spray.

"In that type of incident that type of mauling coming on the best option was probably her pistol," said Assistant Chief Deaton. About a year ago APD put out a new police regarding dangerous dogs and how to deal with them. Every officer was also required to go through a new training program. In August, FOX7 was provided a demonstration. Veteran officers go through a power point presentation while new cadets experience a more hands on class like this Assistant Chief Deaton says Officer Lyons went through the training.

"It does not seem as if any policy was violated in this incident," said Deaton. A formal review into the Petco shooting will still be done and sent to Chief Art Acevedo for a final determination. Names of the dog owners have not yet been released. We do know the owner of the pit bull lives in Williamson County. Neither dog has a history of violence.

[Arrowhead1952]

This was a top news story in Austin today. Too bad Chet99 isn't here to post this.

[wonkowasright]

Barney Fife should keep her bullet in her pocket.

[Molon Labbie]

Umm, why the hell does a pet store need off duty police for security?

Well besides the occasional landshark attack inside...

[GraceG]

Keeping Austin Weird....

[GraceG]

Umm, why the hell does a pet store need off duty police for security?

Considering the number of dog shootings by cops, maybe the cop thought it was a shooting range...

[GBA]

But then, ...the pit bull got away from its 16-year-old owner and attacked the smaller dog.

The pit bull actually had the Maltese in its mouth and was shaking it, apparently ready to kill the other dog,"

[TADSLOS]

We do know the owner of the pit bull lives in Williamson County.

Well, that says it all. The dog was a trained redneck WILCO racist set loose in Austin City Limits. There was no other choice except to gun it down on the spot. /s

[Vigilanteman]

Back when I was a kid, all cops carried a tool like one of these in their patrol car. Or they borrowed one from the local vet or animal control officer. These are not difficult tools to use and, most often, a dog can be extracted with minimum harm. If you can't get the loop around the neck, a leg or even the tail will do.

Once in a great while, you have to pull the handle so hard that the dog is killed or loses the use of a limb or the tail. Roughly 98% of the time, however, a gradual tightening or pinching is sufficient to divert the dogs attention and he will go where you push him. The constriction/loosening effect gives you major control over them. My Dad, a veterinarian, preferred a model like the VET-291 as it maximized safety for both him and the dog. I remember seeing him go into the cage of a Rotweiller which was going beserk and come out like a dog suddenly transformed into a Chihuahua.

[Arthurio]

Pit bull? Good kill.

[Secret Agent Man]

Good points, but as one was in the other’s mouth, can you guarantee that snatcher is going to make the dog shaking and biting the one to death, drop the other dog?

[El Laton Caliente]

Does anyone know what a water hose is? I’ve never had dogs continue a fight after getting hit with a water stream...

[Usagi_yo]

Justifiable beastacide.

[Arrowhead1952]

The dog was a trained redneck WILCO racist set loose in Austin City Limits.

That pet store is actually in Williamson county, but just inside Austin city limits.

[Vigilanteman]

Nope, but it might have been worth a try in the time that it took to clear the public away for a clean shot. Natural canine instinct is generally to let go of the prey and go after the source of the constriction, be it neck, limb or tail.

I'm not saying the cop was out of line shooting the pit bull in this situation, just that this tool might have worked even better.

It is sort of strange that you don't see anyone much using them anymore. They were considered cruel back in my Dad's day. Anytime anyone commented on the cruelity of the tool, he would give them a Clint Eastwood look and ask " . . . compared to what?"

[TADSLOS]

Yeah, I know where it’s located. Just picking up on the continual KLBJ bashing of anything or anyone associated with Williamson County.

[null and void]

Umm, why the hell does a pet store need off duty police for security?

Because people insist on bringing pitbulls into pet stores...

[Secret Agent Man]

Only reason is I would guess given its dimensions, you can’t wear it on a belt, and therefore you probably aren’t going to be carrrying it around on the off-chance you’d really need it and it could be the most effective.

I am saying for a regular police officer. For a security officer always inside a Petco, that might be a different story.

[GOYAKLA]

Mantei: shooting someone is evidence of ill will, spite and hatred

[rawcatslyentist]

Popo in a petco. Recipe for disaster.

[Vigilanteman]

Correct and I believe the exception would apply here since she was an off-duty copy employed as a security guard by the store.

I haven't checked out squad cars lately to see if they have a rifle rack. These doggie tools certainly take less space than a rifle.

I really think the problem is that the tools are no longer common because the animal rights crowd has made it un-PC to carry a tool designed to choke. As if the alternative is so much better.