A Thibodaux Police Department officer shot and killed a dog on Christmas morning after the canine reportedly bit the officer and appeared to charge at another individual, according to a statement from the Thibodaux Police Department.
The incident occurred just after 10:30 a.m. at the 600 block of Canal Blvd. The officer responded to the scene where several people, including motorists and the dog’s owner, were attempting to corral the animal. In an effort to assist, the officer joined the group, and during this interaction, the dog bit the officer on the backside, as detailed in the department’s news release.
A video posted on Facebook by an account identified as Austin McKee captures the moment when a person approaches the dog with both hands outstretched. In response, the officer moves backward, draws his gun, and fires at the dog. The dog falls to the ground on the road, then quickly retreats while being pursued by the individual.
Following the incident, the officer was transported to a nearby medical facility to receive treatment for the injuries sustained during the dog bite. Unfortunately, the dog did not survive the shooting.
The Thibodaux Police Department is expected to conduct an internal investigation into the incident to assess the circumstances surrounding the officer’s use of force. The video posted on social media has sparked discussions about the handling of the situation, emphasizing the ongoing debate surrounding law enforcement responses to animals and the use of firearms.
