Cookeville, TN – On Sunday afternoon, the Cookeville Police Department was involved in an incident during which a pit bull dog was shot. In order to avoid possible misunderstandings, the following information is being provided:
On April 3, two officers responded to an apartment complex where a frightened citizen had reported that two pit bull dogs were running at-large, unsupervised, and preventing her from leaving her apartment. The officers had walked to the rear of the complex when they encountered two large pit bulls.
As the dogs immediately saw the officers, one charged toward the officers but then stopped a few feet from them. The dog continued to bark, growl, and behave aggressively toward the officers. The second dog began running toward the officers but stopped several yards from them and continued barking at them.
The dog closest to the officers once again began charging toward the officers. The officers attempted to retreat, but it was obvious to them that, unfortunately, no option existed to avoid being attacked by the dog other than shooting it. Officers shot and incapacitated the dog.
The second dog retreated and after its owner came outside, was eventually secured. The second dog’s owner had also been caring for the dog that was incapacitated.