Police Officer Fatally Shoots Dog

A police officer shot and killed a dog in Pasadena while responding to a woman who needed medical help, authorities said Wednesday.

The incident occurred at approximately 9:05 p.m. in the 400 block of South Hudson Avenue, according to Lt. Monica Cuellar said.

Pasadena Police and Fire departments, along with Pasadena Humane officers, were dispatched to check on a 31-year-old Glendale woman who was discovered lying face-up, speaking incoherently and making gurgling noises, with a dog nearby.

Cuellar said that, due to concerns for safety, both police and fire personnel initially did not approach the woman because of the dog’s behavior.

A Pasadena Humane officer on scene was waiting for a second humane officer to arrive before attempting to approach the dog.

According to Cuellar, as one of the police officers approached the scene, the dog “locked on to the officer and went after him.”

The officer, who had not seen the dog in the dark until it charged, fired his weapon in fear for his safety, killing the animal, Cuellar said.

The officer was not injured during the incident, Cuellar confirmed.

Pasadena Humane took custody of the deceased dog, which belonged to the victim.

Northbound Hudson Avenue and California Boulevard were temporarily closed as a result of the incident, Cuellar said.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Pasadena Police at (626) 744-4241 or report information anonymously by contacting “Crime Stoppers” at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) via your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.