ONAWA, Iowa (KTIV) -
Afraid he was about to be attacked, a Siouxland police officer shoots a dog in Onawa, Iowa. The dog's owners tell a different story.
Lyle Simpson won't forget Sunday afternoon. Around 3:30, he was sitting outside with his dogs, when Onawa Police Officer Joe Farrens pulled up to check a house next door for vandalism.
"All of a sudden I heard my neighbor across the street yelling: 'Don't shoot! Don't shoot!' I get up, and I hear a bang," said Simpson.
Officer Farrens shot Simpson's pit bull, Mary Jane, in the face.
Neighbor Nicola Dicks saw the whole thing from across the street. She says Mary Jane was in Simpson's yard acting "friendly" to the approaching officer, when he fired.
"The dog yelped. Fell on his 'arms.' And he dragged himself out into the street, almost like he was dragging himself toward the officer, like for help," said Dicks.
Onawa Police say Officer Farrens was acting in self-defense. They say Mary Jane, along with the Simpson's other dog, "aggressively" ran at the officer. They say Farrens fired when the dogs entered the street.
Chief Gary Addy says the officer's testimony and blood spatter on the road back it up.
"I found no violation of department policy. I feel the officer handled himself in the correct manner for the situation he was in," said Addy.
Addy adds, the loose dogs were breaking a city ordinance, which forbids animals from being without a leash or other form of control. He says they've been cited before.
"We've had several complaints about these dogs, we've visited with the owner of the dogs, and about their aggressive behavior," said Addy.
Lyle calls the city ordinance too broad, and asks how this could happen in the first place.
"We have animal control. You feel threatened, stay in your damn car, call them," he said.
The pit bull, Mary Jane, is under observation, recovering. The bullet shattered her jaw, and became lodged in her throat.
Onawa Police are still investigating the incident. They say the owners may be cited for not having control of the dog.
Mary Jane shows .45 caliber bullet wound to her face.
