Man Says That Police Should Pay For Vet After They Shot His Dog

A Canadian dog has been resuscitated and may lose her leg after being shot by a police officer last Wednesday.

Missty, an American Staffordshire Bull Terrier, was shot by an officer in the city of Regina, Saskatchewan, where officers were preparing canine exercises in a closed-off baseball diamond near the airport.

Missty's owner, Lance Murphy arrived at Regina Airport to exercise his dogs, and drove to the far end of the field away from the officers, passing them in his car.

Lucas Murphy

"The police officer who was sitting in the car made eye contact with me, and he didn't say anything," Murphy told CBC.

When he got to the other end of the field, he released his two animals and threw a ball for them to chase. An officer approached them and Missty ran in his direction.

"She was going back and forth. She had the ball in her mouth and her head was down. I didn't have time to get one or two steps and the officer had his gun out and he started shooting my dog."

The officer said that dogs were not allowed in the field without a lead and requested to see the relevant registrations for the animals.

Regina Police acting deputy chief Corey Zaharuk said that 'the officer began sensing very troubling behaviour from one of the dogs, that appeared to him, to be assuming an aggressive posture and circling him'.

Fearing an attack, the police officer shot at the ground and then at the dog, catching Missty in the leg.

She was taken to the vets, who managed to save her life, but now Murphy wants to the police to pay for the care of the dog.

"They've mentioned they might but they're going to wait until they have a decision on whose fault this is," he said. "They definitely should."

"I believe this is the fault of the police officer. She actually died in the vet's shop and they brought her back to life. She wouldn't stop crying."

CBC

Murphy has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of Missty's veterinary care, which is as yet unknown. He has already raised $2,500 Canadian towards his goal of $6,000, with one individual contribution reaching $200.

"I want to thank every single one of those people who gave donations," added Murphy.

"It makes you realise everybody's not bad, everybody's not out to get you. There are nice people in this world."

Topics: Dog, News, US News, Animals

Mike Wood

Mike Meehall Wood is a freelance journalist and translator. He writes for LADbible, VICE and countless sports publications, focusing on rugby league, football and boxing. He is a graduate of Leeds University and maintains a fizzy pop obsession. Contact Mike at [email protected]