Montgomery County deputy kills dog during welfare check
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a dog after the deputy was attacked during a welfare check on Thursday morning, according to a social media post from the sheriff’s office.
The post says that deputies responded to a welfare check at a residence on Deeker Road in New Florence. A resident called Montgomery County Joint Communications after seeing a bull mastiff “displaying unusual behavior,” the release says.
“The citizen thought there may be a problem at the residence and followed the dog down the driveway to the residence where he saw a vehicle in the garage with its headlights on and engine running,” the release says. “Fearing for the safety of anyone inside the vehicle, but unable to exit his own car due to concerns about the dog's behavior, the caller attempted to alert the residents by honking his horn multiple times. When he received no response, he contacted authorities for assistance.”
Deputies saw the vehicle running and the dog attacked one of the deputies, the post says. The deputy was bitten multiple times on his arm and upper thigh. The deputy then shot and killed the dog, the post says.
The homeowner inside the vehicle was “visibly distressed” and the injured deputy was brought to Hermann Hospital, the post says.
“This was a rapidly evolving and difficult situation that required a split-second decision to prevent further injury,” the post says. “We recognize how deeply people care for their pets and understand the pain the family is experiencing from this loss. The safety of our community, including both its residents and their pets, remains a priority for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.”
