On January 6, 2025, at approximately 12:45 p.m., officers with the Evansville Police Department assisted Evansville Animal Care and Control at a residence in the 600-block of College Highway as part of an investigation into the inadequate housing of an outdoor dog. Animal Control had previously responded to the property 16 times in connection with similar neglect concerns, leading to a request for EPD’s help in removing the large dog from the premises.
After spending approximately 30 minutes on the scene, officers and Animal Control attempted to safely remove the dog. The dog’s owner was instructed to leash the dog to walk it, himself, to the Animal Control vehicle. During the process, while the owner was ‘attempting’ to leash the dog, it began to run toward one of the officers. The officer observed the dog for signs of playfulness or normal behavior but became concerned when the dog’s approach escalated into aggressive behavior, including jumping up with its mouth open in an attacking manor within very close proximity to the officer. In response to the threat, the officer discharged his duty-issued handgun, firing three rounds at the dog. The dog succumbed to its injuries.
The owner of the dog has been issued a citation for animal neglect; the dog was being housed in an open-air style kennel with a tarp wrapped around two sides. There was a frozen bowl of water present in the kennel and the temperature at the time of removal was 24 degrees. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be considered as the case progresses.
