Family complains that cops shot dog
It wasn’t included in the Police Department’s daily situation report but there was another shooting in Belize City this morning…and unfortunately it was fatal.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Family and neighbours say the Pit Bull named Pain was only doing his job, protecting his master?s property, when he was shot and killed by law enforcement officers.
Dianne Williams, Resident
“They can?t just shot a dog and just go and no even get information or nothing from me–like say contact–they just shot the dog they never had to do that.”
Dianne Williams who was home at the time with her three year old daughter says the police did not call them outside nor asked them to secure the animal but simply entered the yard. The dog apparently seeing strangers on the premises is believed to have rushed at the police. A neighbour, who did not wish to appear on camera, says if the police had followed proper procedures, there would have been no need to kill the family dog.
Voice of Neighbour
?I am over the Chiney man there so and I see the police they come stop their vehicle and three of them ran into the yard and I see and a BDF came through this way. From there the dog ran out and they shot the dog.?
Jacqueline Woods
?They had entered the yard??
Voice of Neighbour
?Yes come inna the yard, they shot the dog in the yard.”
The dog received a bullet wound to the abdomen and apparently limped to the back of this small wooden building where he died. Williams says it was not until she heard the single gunshot that she became aware that someone was inside her yard.
Jacqueline Woods
?Did they tell you what they were looking for??
Dianne Williams, Resident
?Yes, they said they were conducting a search for drugs and ammunition, but they didn?t find anything.?
Jacqueline Woods
?It is not the first time that you said that the police have been to your yard, why do they keep coming here??
Dianne Williams
?I do not know because they no find nothing when they come; they do not find nothing.?
Dianne Williams
?They should have holler for someone to come and tied their dog but they just come by the door and when they saw the dog coming. They shot at the dog and killed him.”
However, police are saying their officers from the Anti Drug Unit did follow proper procedure. According to authorities, the police did make contact and said they were at the house to conduct a search and asked for someone to secure the dog. Police say when the officers were told the animal was tied they entered the premises and it was long after the dog rushed them. Police say they strongly believe someone let go the animal and ADU had no choice but to shoot.
Dianne Williams, Resident
?I want to see justice done, I want to see them pay for that dog because that dog cost a lot of money, a lot. And we work very hard to feed that dog.?
Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
Police say their officers did not find anything and they have launched an investigation into the shooting incident. Meanwhile the family members say they will be filing a complaint with the police.
