Dogs in the News: Another good dog shot by police

The City of Holly Hill, Fla., is paying more than $3,000 in veterinary bills after a police officer shot a pet dog on Dec. 27, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal.

The 4-year-old Rottweiler named Lady is recovering at home after surgery to remove the bullets, according to the News-Journal.

Holly Hill police officials said an officer had to shoot Lady after they went to her owner’s home Dec. 27 to look for Josey Bobbitt, a woman wanted for violation of probation for solicitation of prostitution, according to the News-Journal. Police went to the home after a driver’s license showed Bobbitt lived there.

Lady’s owner Richard Stotler told the police he did not know who Bobbitt was and that she did not live there, according to the News-Journal.

He then closed the door, so officers entered his fenced backyard, according to Wesh.com, an Orlando news web site (video below). The fence had a “Beware of Dog” sign.

Stotler told the News-Journal he did not see any reason for anyone to enter his backyard since he had told police he did not know who Bobbitt was and that she did not live there.

The News-Journal reported that the officer was confronted by Lady and a second dog in the backyard. The dogs started barking at the officer, who then attempted to retreat from the yard. As the officer backed away, police said Lady lunged at the officer. When she lunged a second time, the officer was in fear of being attacked and fired his service weapon two times at her.

My heart goes out to Lady and Stotler, as well as the officer who shot Lady.

Send your Dogs in the News stories to Lindsay@ThatMutt.com.