Officers shoot dogs in backyard

Wednesday, June 1, 2005 | 9:40 a.m.

A Metro Police officer shot two pit bulls after the dogs allegedly charged another officer in a backyard near Eldorado High School Tuesday afternoon, police said.

Officer Bill Cassell said the officers responded to a call shortly before 1 p.m. on Linn Lane near Washington Avenue when as part of their investigation they needed to enter a backyard.

The officers were assisting Clark County School District Police, who were chasing someone suspected of defacing property with spray paint.

No one answered the front door at the house, so one of the officers went over the wall and into the yard while the other remained outside.

"The pitbulls came around the corner and charged the officer," Cassell said. The officer on the outside fired several shots trying to protect the other officer.

Both dogs ran inside through a dog door and officers again went to the front door to check on the condition of the dogs and the safety of anyone inside, but the occupant refused to let them in, Cassell said.

One dog died and the other is undergoing medical treatment. Metro's internal affairs section will be looking into the incident, Cassell said.