SOUTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — A family is calling for an internal investigation after a Union City police officer shot and killed their dog. A spokesperson for the Union City Police Department tells Channel 2 Action News that officers went to the family's home on Nichols Drive to serve aggravated assault and terroristic threats warrants on one their relatives. As they were leaving, police say the dog attacked them. Friday, Sharon Jones and her son Mark Coursey stood at their dog's grave in their backyard. Their pit bull named Little Man was shot by an officer on Nov. 13 and died three days later after going through two surgeries. "Our house is empty," said Jones. "Our yard is empty. They didn't have the right to take our dog." Police say Jones' dog attacked their K9 and his handler twice out in the street. Coursey says the officers had finished searching the home and were on the way to their vehicles. At one point, Coursey says he went out a back door and his dog got loose. Within moments, Little Man was clashing with police K9 Pluto. "About 15 seconds into the fight I hear 'boom,' and then that's it," said Coursey. Police say that the pit bull did not respond to their commands to stop. They say the officer fired a shot into the dog's side to prevent him from causing serious damage to their dog. Jones has filed a complaint with internal affairs demanding an investigation. "They had no business being out here with a K9 without letting me know to secure my dog," said Jones. "They used more force than what they should," she said. The family says they not only lost their dog, but were also left with a $2,800 veterinarian bill after two surgeries failed to save him. "That's a family member to us," said Jones. "That's our dog." "Shoot the ground," said Coursey. "Shoot the grass. You didn't have to shoot my dog." Police say the fault lies with the owners for failing to restrain and secure their dog.
WSBTV
