Family Outraged After Ogden Police Shoot Dog

OGDEN, Utah – A family expressed outrage Tuesday after police shot their dog, as police maintained it was an act of self-defense.

Freddy Gallegos said officers arrived to his home, near 2400 D Ave., before noon and encountered his dog, Kilo.

“One of the police officers asked me, he goes, you know, ‘Is he mean?’ and I go, ‘Well, I’ll get him,’ and so I went over there to get him, and in less than two seconds, the other officer shot him,” Gallegos said. “It was totally uncalled for. I was on my way to get him, and they couldn’t wait two seconds?”

Ogden Police Department in a statement said officers responded to assist child protective services workers, when the dog came around a vehicle and attacked one of the officers.

“The officer drew his service weapon and fired at the animal in an attempt to protect himself,” the statement read. “The dog was struck and discontinued the attack.”

Police said they were reviewing the matter.

Gallegos said the shot grazed Kilo’s skull, and he had to have the bullet removed by a veterinarian.

The dog yelped repeatedly and appeared to be in pain later Tuesday afternoon.

“I got cited for a dog attack, an animal attack — they cited me for it,” Gallegos said. “(He) said I could fight it in court, which I will. I will fight this to the fullest.”

Gallegos said there should be consequences for the shooting and the police department should pick up the vet bill.

“I mean, kids could have seen that—they don’t need to see that,” Gallegos said. “It was totally uncalled for.”