Police are facing criticism after an operation in Manizales, where an officer shot and killed a pitbull. The community and animal rights activists have expressed their rejection of this case, which has had repercussions nationwide. In a statement, the authorities explained what happened.
News Colombia.
A police action in which a pitbull died after being shot by a police officer has sparked controversy. The incident occurred on Friday, when uniformed officers from the CAI San Sebastián responded to a fight.
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An incident that has sparked widespread debate occurred in Manizales, Caldas, when a police officer shot and killed a pitbull during an operation.
The incident occurred last Friday, September 13, during a police procedure that followed a call from the community about a fight.
The pet died on the spot, and the incident was captured on video, sparking reactions from both citizens and authorities.
The video circulating on social media shows a police officer struggling to free himself from the dog’s bite, which has him grabbed by the forearm. Despite the officer’s attempts to free himself, the animal’s aggression persists for almost a minute, while the officer, visibly in pain and desperate, is unable to restrain the canine. In the background, the dog’s owner can be heard inciting the animal to continue its attack on the officer.
According to the official police statement, the incident occurred in the San Sebastián sector, where the officers responded to a report from a woman who warned about the violent behavior of her brother, a 39-year-old man who threatened those present with a knife. It was in this context that the pitbull dog was released to attack the officer.
When all efforts to control the animal failed, the officer’s partner asked the attacker’s sister for permission to shoot the dog. After several attempts to mediate, and seeing that the officer’s life was in danger, the officer shot and killed the dog.
In the video, you can see how the owner, who previously encouraged the animal, changes his attitude and mourns the death of his pet.
National Police Statement
Police justified the shooting on the basis of precaution, arguing that in addition to the risk to the officer, there was also a 14-month-old baby in the area, whose safety was compromised due to the dog’s aggressiveness.
The case has generated diverse opinions on social media, with some people defending the police action in the face of imminent danger, while others criticize the situation and demand accountability. The authorities continue to investigate what happened to clarify the facts and proceed in accordance with the law.
Similarly, Andrea Padilla, Colombian senator for animal rights, has expressed on her X account: “Questions arise about the decision to shoot and reflections on the ownership of these animals, often exploited by people not fit to care for them. We will be attentive to the investigation.”
We saw the video of the dog killed by a police officer in Manizales. Shocking. You can see the moment when a woman authorizes shooting him, while you can hear the screams of a guy who doesn’t seem to be well. Questions also arise about the decision to shoot and reflections… pic.twitter.com/kds141qRgP
— Andrea Padilla Villarraga (@andreanimalidad) September 14, 2024
