WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | Danville Police stand by officer who shot dog

Danville Police stand by officer who shot dog

Danville Police say an officer was acting properly when he shot and killed a dog.

"Killer" was a 12-year-old Dachsund known by many in his Berman Drive neighborhood.
 
Officer Murrill McLean shot the animal Monday while trying to serve a warrant at a nearby home.
 
McLean worried the dog had rabies and shot the animal in self-defense. 
 
Killer's owner Angela Harper says her pet did not have rabies and has never attacked anyone.

"He was a little dog," says Harper.  "So I think he was kind of careless in choosing to shoot."

Broadfoot says his department will discuss ways to prevent future dog shootings, but he won't change the policy on killing animals.

This isn't the first time Danville Police have faced scrutiny for shooting dogs.  In 2005, Police faced criticism for shooting six dogs.
 
That led police to undergo training by the Humane Society on ways to diffuse aggressive dogs without shooting.