A deputy in Rutherford County, North Carolina, was forced to make a difficult decision during an encounter with an aggressive dog, according to authorities.
On Monday, deputies with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office responded after reports came in of two aggressive dogs chasing people in the area of Middle Street in Ellenboro, North Carolina.
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Upon arrival, the deputy observed two dogs running loose on someone’s property. At first, the dogs charged in the direction of the deputy several times in an aggressive manner, but the deputy was able to keep a safe distance.
After learning who the owner of the dogs was, the deputy attempted to make contact with the owner. However, these attempts were unsuccessful.
The deputy contacted animal control for assistance, but was told the shelter was full and they could not take any more animals.
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According to law enforcement, the deputy spent approximately 90 minutes in the area attempting to find the owner and safely gain control of the dogs.
While the deputy began making his way to his patrol car, one of the dogs charged at the deputy in an aggressive manner.
The deputy, while still in the roadway, illuminated the dog with his flashlight and began yelling at it. The dog continued to advance toward the deputy in an aggressive manner which resulted in the deputy being forced to use his weapon on the animal.
After shooting the dog, the deputy again attempted to contact animal control to have them respond and recover the now dead dog, but was advised again that the shelter was full.
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The deputies were then able to successfully capture the other dog and place it back into the enclosure and secure the enclosure that the dogs had escaped from.
“This was an unfortunate incident in which a dog lost its life,” a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said. “The Sheriff’s Office, nor anyone involved, wanted this outcome but unfortunately due to the dog’s action the deputy had to act.”
Law enforcement said no one, other than the dog, was injured during the situation.
Through investigation, the deputy was eventually able to contact the owner of the dogs, who was out of town and could not respond to the area.
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Due to animal control advising they would not respond and could not accept the dog, the owner of the dogs arranged to have the dead dog buried.
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