On Wednesday night, a normally quiet Vancouver cul-de-sac became the center of a firestorm after an off-duty Skamania County deputy shot and killed a neighbor’s dog outside his home. The deputy says the animal charged him. The dog’s owner and several neighbors say that is not what happened and are now pressing for a deeper investigation into when officers can use lethal force on family pets.
Deputy’s account and use of force
According to the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Boris Kioroglo told investigators he had just come home from a shift when he found a dog circling his patrol vehicle. The agency says Kioroglo reported that he first deployed a department-issued Taser, then fired his duty weapon. Investigators say he fired three rounds, hitting the dog in the chest. Because the shooting happened within Clark County, that agency is handling the case, according to KATU.
Neighbors dispute that version
Neighbors say the dog, identified as Dodger, was anything but aggressive. The dog’s owner, LeAnna Inglis, told deputies that her animals had wandered a few houses away after a door was accidentally left open. Nearby resident Taylar Romano said the dogs were calm, not threatening anyone. "None of them were aggressive at all," Romano said.
Inglis told investigators she believes Kioroglo fired from about 45 feet away and questioned why he did not call or try another approach before shooting. Residents say no security cameras captured the encounter and have urged detectives to gather every possible witness statement and 911 record to piece together what happened in those few tense moments.
Investigation and legal status
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed it is investigating the shooting but told reporters it is "not pursuing criminal charges and is treating the matter as a civil issue," according to KATU.
Clark County operates a body-worn camera program with its own public-disclosure process that shapes how and when video can be released. That framework can affect the timing and amount of evidence made public; the Clark County Sheriff’s Office offers an overview of how the program works.
What comes next
Inglis has called for a fuller review of the shooting, and neighbors say they are expecting more follow-up from both Clark and Skamania County officials as investigators sort through witness accounts and any available records.
Personnel information posted by Skamania County indicates that Kioroglo joined the sheriff’s office after a lateral transfer from the Vancouver Police Department, according to the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office.
