A dog was fatally shot by police in Richmond this week after reportedly “lunging” at officers.
According to RCMP, the incident took place around 6:40 pm on Tuesday, when officers responded to an alleged break-and-enter in progress. “Two officers encountered the suspect who allegedly fought with them as they attempted to arrest him,” police said.
As the situation escalated, “the responding officers called for additional back-up,” and “several” more officers arrived in the building to provide support to the two officers.
“As the officers entered the building they encountered a person with a large dog,” police said. “The individual lost control of the dog which cornered the officers in a confined space and bit two of them.”
As a result, police said that an officer was “ultimately forced to shoot the dog as it continued to attack them.”
The dog died as a result.
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“This was a terribly unfortunate incident for all involved,” said Richmond RCMP Const. Kenneth Lau. “Police officers often have to make a split second decision between being potentially seriously injured or protecting the safety of themselves, their fellow officers or the public.”
He noted that back-up officers were able to get to the original two responding officers, which resulted in the safe arrest of the suspect.
Now, a 40-year-old man of no fixed address is expected to appear in Richmond Provincial Court next February to answer to charges of break-and-enter.
Richmond RCMP said they “recognize this is a difficult situation and will provide support to everyone involved.”
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