Police department takes down Facebook page after dog shooting

FOREST PARK, Ga. - Controversy over the shooting of a dog by a metro Atlanta police officer has become so heated the department decided to temporarily close down their Facebook page.

The incident happened last Thursday in the 500 block of Shellnut Drive. Forest Park Police said an officer pulled up to a home after received a call from a resident concerned for the safety of her children after a dog jumped the fence and was loose in her backyard.

Police said the officer arrived at the home and spotted a pit bull in the front yard, but it ran off once he approached. Police then said the officer went up to the front door of the home where the dogs live and knocked on the door. That’s when investigators said a pit bull ran from around the back of the house and confronted the officer, being aggressive. The officer being trapped at the front door of the home was forced to shoot the dog, according to police, when it lunged at him. Police said the dog came through a “dilapidated portion of the fence” towards the officer.

According to police records, the owner has been fined in the past for similar violations and several complaints were lodged stating the dogs were aggressive towards people.

After the department posted the release to their Facebook, a series of online profane ad hominem attacks were launched against commenters who showed support for the officers and his actions. That’s when police said they were forced to temporarily take down their page.

No word on charges or fines against the owner of the dogs.