WA Police Commissioner defends officer’s decision to shoot dead pet dog Cujo

The Western Australian police commissioner has backed the police officer who shot dead a dog after reviewing bodycam footage of the incident.

Police were called to a house in Perth’s Canning Vale on Saturday afternoon following a suspected disturbance.

A 23-year-old man was previously arrested Cujo, a six-year-old Labrador cross, punched through a window during the commotion.

The dog attacked a police officer, who bled profusely from cuts to his face and a bitten ear before being rushed to hospital.

“While officers were attempting to make an arrest, a dog inside the residence approached and attacked a male police officer,” Western Australian police confirmed.

Police attempted to taser the dog but were forced to open fire after the taser failed to work.

The dog’s owners have demanded answers, saying Cujo was a friendly animal who spent most of his life around children.

However, Commissioner Blanch has since expressed his support for the officer who opened fire.

Cujo smashed through a window of a house and attacked an officer who was arresting a 23-year-old man

“I know this hits the community hard when they see the police taking action in this way,” Commissioner Blanch told the local radio station 6PR on Tuesday.

“I reviewed the officer’s body-worn video and spoke with the officer.

“Unfortunately, such is my observation, and there will be an independent investigation into the discharge of a firearm, I don’t think he had any other choice.

‘Several Tasers were deployed, the dog had attacked the police officer, bit his ear, he was bleeding profusely from his ear.

“The dog continued to move rapidly towards the officer and despite two Taser deployments, he deployed his service weapon,” he said.

Commissioner Blanch said the officer was at home recovering from the incident, distraught and “replaying it over and over again in his head.”

He accepted the dog owner’s claim that the dog was not a violent animal, but said Cujo posed a danger at the time anyway.

“They are doing what is instinctive for them, but they also pose a significant threat to the safety and lives of others while they are in that mode,” Commissioner Blanch said.

WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said his officer replayed the episode in his mind

The police investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

The man arrested during the incident was charged with one count of assault on government officials and one count of obstructing government officials.

He will appear before the Armadale Magistrates Court on Friday.