Shot dead by cops.. terrified dog tied to tree
ANIMAL lovers have slammed police for destroying a “cold and terrified” dog, abandoned tied to a telegraph pole.
Officers said they spent hours trying to calm the “aggressive” German shepherd.
But, unable to get close enough to sedate it, they shot it.
Witnesses urged police to save the dog, thought to have been left overnight in freezing conditions in Hartlepool.
Ian Robson said: “I suggested they use tranquillisers as it was barking as people tried to feed it, but they kept saying it was an aggressive dog.” Denise Byron posted: “It was tied up, cold and terrified, surely they could’ve drugged meat to sedate it.” Cleveland Police, alerted by the council at the weekend, said vets and the RSPCA had advised on the “difficult” decision, adding: “All attempts to calm the dog failed. “Vets were unable to sedate it due to not being able to approach it. It could not be rehomed due to its aggressive behaviour.”