A larceny suspect's encounter with Lansing police officers turned fatal for a dog this Thursday on South Francis Avenue. As reported by CBS News Detroit, the incident occurred while officers attempted to take the man, who had an outstanding warrant, into custody. According to Lansing Police Chief Robert Backus in a written statement, the officers were bitten by the dog that was inside the vehicle with the suspect, first on their hands and arms, then on their legs after the suspect was removed from the car.
The Lansing State Journal reports that, during the struggle with the man outside the vehicle, one of the officers discharged their weapon killing the dog. In a statement, Lansing Police Public Information Director Jordan Gulkis described the situation as "unfortunate" which ensued from the officers' efforts to apprehend a resisting suspect. Gulkis mentioned that both officers required medical attention, but were later released from the hospital.
Details of the event, including the suspect's identity or the breed of the dog involved, were not released. However, Ingham County Animal Control was made aware of the shooting, according to information provided to WLNS. The station details how the encounter took a critical turn during a traffic stop related to a theft investigation on the 400 block of South Francis Ave, near Kalamazoo St, where the officers found the suspect and subsequently tried to arrest him.
