Western Australia’s police commissioner has supported the police officer who shot and killed a dog after reviewing body camera footage of the incident.
Police were called to a home in Canning Vale in Perth on Saturday afternoon in relation to an alleged disturbance.
A 23-year-old man was arrested earlier Cujo, a six-year-old Labrador cross, crashed into a window during the commotion.
The dog attacked a police officer, who bled profusely from cuts to his face and a bite to his ear before being rushed to hospital.
“While officers were attempting to make an arrest, a dog at the residence approached and attacked a police officer,” Western Australia Police confirmed.
Police attempted to Taser the dog, but were forced to open fire after the Taser failed to work.
The dog’s owners demanded answers, saying Cujo was a friendly animal who spent most of his life around children.
However, Commissioner Blanch has since expressed his support for the officer who opened fire.
Witnesses say they heard two gunshots when police shot and killed Cujo, a staff farmer.
Cujo broke the window of a home and attacked an officer who arrested a 23-year-old man.
“I know this hits the community hard when they see police acting like this,” Commissioner Blanch told the local radio station. 6PR on Tuesday.
‘I have seen the video of the officer on the force and I have spoken to the officer.
‘Sadly, my observation is, and there will be an independent investigation into the discharge of a firearm, that I don’t believe he had a choice.
“Several Tasers were used, the dog had attacked the police officer, bitten his ear and was bleeding profusely from the ear.
“The dog continued to move rapidly toward the officer and, despite two Taser shots, used his service weapon,” he said.
Commissioner Blanch said the officer was at home recovering from the incident, distraught and “reflecting on it over and over again.”
He accepted the dog’s owner’s claim that the dog was not an animal of a violent nature, but said Cujo was a danger at the time anyway.
“They are doing what is instinctual for them, but they also pose a significant threat to the safety and lives of others while they are in that mode,” Commissioner Blanch said.
WA Police Commissioner Colonel Blanch said his officer was replaying the episode in his mind.
Police investigations into the incident continue.
The man arrested during the incident was charged with one count of assault on a public official and one count of obstruction of public officials.
He will appear at Armadale Magistrates Court on Friday.