Commerce City Promises Full Investigation After Shooting Of Dog
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (CBS4) - Police in Commerce City have promised a full investigation after a pit bull was shot to death. At the same time police made the announcement a vigil was being held to remember the dog.
The dog was shot and killed at a house where the animal was being temporarily cared for. The shooting has many in Commerce City upset.
Chloe's owner, Gary Branson of Pueblo, says she's a pit bull-chocolate lab blend. Over the weekend Commerce City police received calls of a dog loose in the neighborhood where she was being watched because Branson was out of state.
"We've got a dog that's aggressive out here. It's like a pit bull mix or something," a resident said to a 911 operator.
Branson says Chloe is anything but aggressive. Still, when officers tried to catch her, they had trouble. They used a taser and tried a neck harness. A police officer then fired five shots, killing Chloe. The incident was caught on video.
The story prompted dog owners and dog lovers to protest police action.
"It's such a shame to take a dog like that and kill it for no reason," a protester said.
Chloe's case is now being reviewed by Commerce City police who initially said the officers responded appropriately.
Branson says he is considering legal action against the Commerce City Police Department. There is also a Facebook page entitled "Justice for Chloe."
