That is heartbreaking. I would never do that (rush into a decision) unless some animal was going after me. Either him or me. I wouldn’t like it but I would be going home.
I was always able to drive off barking/charging dogs with a feint towards and a loud noise, at least long enough to extricate myself from the backyard I was entering. I can say almost without a doubt this officer did not need to shoot this dog.