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Police fatally shoot dog during manhunt in West Valley City

Posted at 9:27 PM, Aug 01, 2015
and last updated 2015-08-01 23:27:44-04

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – A pit bull was shot and killed by a Salt Lake City Police Department officer in West Valley City Friday night as officers were searching for suspects in connection with a call of shots fired.

Officers from the Salt Lake City Police Department were participating in the manhunt as part of a multi-agency task force, and the suspects in the alleged shooting fled on foot after a car chase and ended up hiding near a home in West Valley City.

When police approached the property, they said a pit bull charged and an officer shot and killed the dog. Video featuring the gunshots was sent to FOX 13 News by a neighbor, see the video above for that footage.

Some residents are questioning the decision to shoot and kill the dog, saying that, though they understand the danger officers face, the officers were entering a yard with a 'beware of dog' sign. They add that the home was randomly chosen by the suspect, putting that dog in the officer's cross hairs through no fault of its own.

"And the fact that the officers didn't try to mace the dog, they didn't try to get away from the dog at all, he just shot her, point blank, two times,” neighbor Brenna McGarrity said of the incident.

Salt Lake City PD said they will not comment further on the shooting until Monday. FOX 13 News will have more details as they become available.