- Authorities state that a dog pursued a 13-year-old boy in Clayton County.
- The officer employed a baton and pepper spray prior to discharging his firearm.
- The dog's owner states that Rocco was not hostile and did not deserve to lose his life.
CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. - A 13-year-old boy stated that a Clayton County police officer made the correct decision when he shot and killed a dog that had been pursuing him through his neighborhood on Thursday.
What they're sayingHe and his mother shared their story exclusively with FOX 5's Rob DiRienzo.
"I witnessed him running and shouting, 'Help, help, mom!'" said Rasheedat Kosoko, the boy's mother.
However, the dog's owner is convinced it should still be living today.
What we knowA video shared with FOX 5 depicts a Clayton County police officer aiming his weapon at a dog on Millstone Drive, on Thursday.
A short time later, he fired and ended its life.
The police stated the dog was behaving "aggressively" around a child, and the officer was attempting to safeguard him.
TimelineThe Kosoko family was heading home last Thursday night when the dog approached 13-year-old Mudathir, according to his mother.
Mudathir mentioned that the dog appeared to leap from a bush.
"Then the dog started barking and ran after me," he said.
His mother states that he was very frightened.
He mentioned that the officer, who resides in the area, initially attempted to use his baton and subsequently employed pepper spray.
When he waved his baton, the dog wouldn't stop approaching," Mudathir Kosoko stated. "After that, he used his pepper spray, and then I left.
When Mudathir arrived home, he claims he heard the gunshot.
Rasheedat expressed her thanks for the officer's intervention.
"If the officer hadn't been there, I'm not sure if I would have lost him or all the other kids," she stated.
The other sideThe two-year-old Rottweiler, called Rocco, was owned by Renee Senegal.
She mentioned that Rocco managed to escape from his leash while she was present.
He was eager to play," Senegal said. "That's all he wants to do, is play.
She asserts that there were previous problems with the officer, who was also her neighbor, and mentions that he could have knocked on her door to ease the situation.
It didn't need to unfold this way," Senegal remarked. "Rocco didn't deserve to lose his life.
Official statementThe Clayton County Police Department issued the following statement on Thursday afternoon:
We have knowledge of the recent video featuring one of our officers and a dog. The officer was on duty for a report of an aggressive animal that was chasing a child and initially attempted non-lethal methods to neutralize the danger. This is a challenging scenario, and we recognize the worries it brings up. The event is currently being examined, and we are dedicated to maintaining openness with our community as we go through this procedure. We appreciate your ongoing support and confidence.
This piece is derived from original reporting by FOX 5's Rob DiRienzo, combined with details from the Clayton County Police department and eyewitness reports. The article was revised on Thursday afternoon to include a statement from the police.