A San Diego man said he’s heartbroken after police officers responding to a call near his home in Pacific Beach shot and killed his dog.
Police officers were called to Felspar and Bayard streets just before 5:30 a.m. Sunday for what appeared to be a domestic disturbance. When they arrived, officers say they were confronted by a 50 to 60 pound pit bull.
One officer fired, killing the dog.
The dog’s owner Ian Anderson spoke with NBC 7 about the death of his dog, Burberry. He said the 6-year-old pit bull was his service dog.
Anderson stood on a sidewalk outside his home and walked through the last moments of Burberry’s life.
Anderson said Burberry started barking when police knocked on his door. Once the dog was outside, he stopped barking according to Anderson. He claims one officer bent down and petted the pit bull. Then, the second officer reacted to seeing the animal.
“The other officer yelled and screamed at the dog for no reason to get inside. It startled the dog," Anderson said.
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"[The officer] jumped back, went this way, drew his weapon,” he said. “Boom. Shot right in the head and he was done. He was dead."
The San Diego Police Department issued the following statement: “The preservation of life is our top priority and this includes the lives of animals. This incident is currently being investigated as any Officer Involved Shooting would be to assure proper procedures were followed. Any further comments prior to the completion of the investigation would simply be premature.”
Anderson is heartbroken at losing the dog he says has helped children with Down Syndrome as well as helping him get through his own anxiety-ridden time dealing with his father's death.
“They’re there to put their heads on your lap and you know everything is going to be okay. There's just no way to explain the bond," he said.
"He was the best dog in the entire world,” Anderson said through tears. “I would do anything to have him back right now. Absolutely anything. "
No arrests were made in the domestic disturbance.
