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SCARSDALE, N.Y. – A Scarsdale police officer shot and killed a pit bull Tuesday morning after the dog reportedly ran at the officer with its teeth bared near 11 Myrtlewood Road.
Police Officer Armando Nava wrote in his report that the dog "ran towards my vehicle's driver’s side door. Patrol fired two rounds from my duty weapon and dispatched the pit bull."
The shooting came shortly after the dog's presence forced the evacuation of the Heathcote Elementary School playground.
There had been repeated reports of the dog roaming loose around Scarsdale since Saturday. Police said the animal had been spotted on more than one occasion, but the dog had acted aggressively and escaped.
Tuesday morning at 9:45 a.m., Nava reported following the dog to 6 Myrtlewood Road where it had become cornered in a fenced area behind the home. While Nava awaited arrival of the humane society, the dog became aggressive, growled and ran at the officer with teeth bared, the report said. The officer fired a shot, and the dog turned and ran north on Myrtlewood.
Other patrol officers joined in the search as several residents called to report sightings. The dog was followed through the Saxon Woods Road area onto the Heathcote playground, where recess was in progress. The children were evacuated and the school was locked down, the report said. The nearby school at Westchester Reform Temple was also locked down.
According to the report, the dog again charged police in front of 11 Myrtlewood Road, then charged Nava's car.
The dog, which appeared to be sick, according to Nava's report, had no collar or tags, and no reports of a missing pit bull had been received by the Scarsdale Police Department.
It is so unfortunate that this happened. Since the dog was loose for several days and there was not one incident of it attacking anybody I wonder why the officer "claims" he was attacked. The dog was obviously scared and was trying to get away from the police who the dog was not familiar with. It would be a lot easier if the dog knew they were trying to help it but the only way we can communicate with animals is body language! So sad and completely unnecessay. Too bad the police are so quick to take out their guns during the middle of the day in a residential area and fire shots! Careless and could have been avoided if the police took a few mins to learn a better/safer way to handle the situation!