Crime & Safety

Deputy Shoots Dog After It Bursts Into Home, Attacks Cat: Police

The dog crashed through a storm door to get at cats in the home, police said.

A 2-1/2-year-old shepherd mix named Buddy died Wednesday after it was shot by a Will County Sheriff's Deputy, police said Friday.

Sheriff's office spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer said the rescue dog had somehow become untethered and burst through a glass storm door to get at a cat in the 19000 block of Jacquie Avenue.

"It broke through the rear glass storm door," she said. "There was glass everywhere."

Hoffmeyer said one of the homeowners was in the house at around 4 p.m. when she heard a crash, and found the dog attacking the cat.

The woman's screams drew her husband, who was outside when the attack happened, Hoffmeyer said. The husband and a neighbor were able to free the cat and tried to subdue the dog.

"They were laying on the dog restraining him," she said.

A deputy responding to a report of a vicious dog arrived and used his riot shield to restrain the dog while the residents got out of the home, Hoffmeyer said.

"The dog was becoming increasingly agitated," and managed to stand back up, she said.

"It started charging at the deputy with its jaw fully extended," Hoffmeyer said. The deputy, fearing for his own safety, fired four shots at the dog, striking the animal three times and killing it.

Hoffmeyer said the homeowner and neighbor were treated at the scene for minor bites and scratches by Lockport Township Fire Protection District paramedics.

The dog's owner, who lived nearby, told police the dog became untethered from a dog run. She said she grabbed him, but he was able to break free from her and ran off, Hoffmeyer said.

According to Hoffmeyer, police did not issue any citations to the dog owner. She said the pet was known to be vicious toward cats and rabbits.

The injured cat, named Beanie, was taken to a veterinary clinic in Plainfield for surgery, Hoffmeyer said, and is reportedly expected to survive.

In February 2013, another dog — this one a pit bull/boxer mix named Joseph— was killed in a police-involved shooting in Romeoville. A Romeoville officer responded to several calls regarding a dog running loose near Irene King Elementary School and reportedly snapping at kids and adults. 

In that incident, police said the dog charged the officer twice and that the officer believed an attack was imminent when he shot the animal twice in the head. The dog did not die immediately, but returned to its home just a few doors down from the school, and ultimately had to be euthanized. 


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