A Waco law enforcement officer shot and killed a family’s dog after reacting to the incorrect address throughout a robbery call, the department said Monday.
The shooting occurred quickly after 3 p.m. Saturday. Waco cops dispatchers received a call from a lady who said a man started her door, pleading with officers to react rapidly, the department said.
A male’s voice might be heard in the background stating “I’m not trying to hurt you” prior to the call was detached, cops said.
When dispatchers went into the home’s address in a computer system, the address “autocorrected,” the department said. The dispatcher sent the officers to the 3200 block of North 20th Street, while the call stemmed from the 3200 block of North 20th A Street, one block west. The “A” was not consisted of in the dispatcher’s instructions to officers, the department said.
Responding to the incorrect address, officers saw a door open. Officers “announced their presence” prior to “multiple dogs came toward officers who retreated,” the department said. The department did not state whether the officers went into the property.
One dog lunged two times towards an officer, the department said. After the 2nd lunge, the officer shot the dog.
The dog, a 10-year-old black laboratory called Finn, passed away at a veterinary center. Waco cops said a leader “met the family at the clinic, offered his sympathy, and provided information regarding services provided as a result of the incident.”
“We are regretful of the outcome regarding our response that resulted in the death of Finn,” the department said in a statement on Facebookincluding that dispatchers and officers will work to validate that addresses took into their computer system assisted dispatch system are precise.
“We are engaging the CAD system manufacturer to ensure that steps are taken to prevent any similar occurrence,” the declaration said. “Additionally, dispatchers will be directed to evaluate any address that occurs on any of the streets that have an adjacent ‘A’ street.”
No injuries were reported and no arrests were made from the initial robbery call, the department said.
A GoFundMe published by a friend of Finn’s owner explained the officer as “trigger happy.” The fundraising event had actually raised more than $4,600 since Tuesday afternoon to employ a legal representative on the family’s behalf.
