KGMI News
by Joe Teehan
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Bellingham Police Department Review Board has determined that an officer’s fatal shooting of a dog was justified.
The shooting happened October 12th when two Bellingham officers went to an apartment on Orleans Street to investigate a theft.
While one officer knocked on the front door Officer Andrew Wassel went to the back of the apartment to watch the back door.
A woman came out of the back door along with a large dog.
When Wassel tried to contact the woman the dog charged him in a threatening manner.
The officer tried to back away from the dog but it kept charging and he killed it with a single shot.
The Review Board found Officer Wassel reasonably believed he was in danger and didn’t recommend any disciplinary action.