AUBURN, Calif. — The Placer County District Attorney’s Office is investigating after an Auburn police officer shot a dog attacking him while conducting a welfare check.
According to a news release from the Auburn Police Department, it happened around 9:30 p.m. Friday.
Police say an 11-year-old home alone with his 14-year-old sister called 911 saying his sister had run out of the house and he couldn’t find her. Officers were then dispatched for a welfare check.
Upon arrival, the two children opened the door and a 145-pound dog ran out.
Police say the 14-year-old unsuccessfully tried to restrain it. The dog then jumped on the officer and bit him, causing the officer to shoot four times. The dog was hit twice.
After the dog ran back inside, the officer went and checked on the children. The 14-year-old had a cut to her left leg near her knee. Police say it’s still unclear how the cut happened, and since it’s possible it was from a bullet fragment, she was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Since it’s unclear how she was injured, the police department is investigating the case as an officer-involved shooting, which means involving the district attorney’s office to determine if the officer’s actions were criminal in nature and a second investigation on if the officer’s actions were within policy.
“We ask that the community be sensitive in their online conversations regarding this incident,” police wrote on social media.
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