Family grieves dog shot by deputy
Clark County deputy says dog charged; family says officers were at wrong house.
A Springfield woman said her family was forced to bury their dog on Christmas Eve after a Clark County Sheriff ’s deputy shot their 13-yearold German shepherd mix rescue pet.
Their dog, Hunter, was shot around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday
on their property in the 3400 block of Springfield-Xenia Road when the sheriff ’s office was assisting another agency.
“They weren’t even supposed to be at this address,” said Hunter’s owner Tami Adams. “They were supposed to be two houses down. They should not have been here and they killed an innocent dog.”
The sheriff ’s office said the dog started running toward the deputy and acting aggressively, and that’s why the deputy shot the animal.
Adams disputes that account.
She said Hunter will protect his property and had snapped at people before, but he had never bitten or attacked anyone.
“He’s not going to charge at you. He was too old, he has arthritis,” Adams said. “He was wagging his tail as he was walking over there until she moved to the side and reached for her weapon and that’s when he snapped at her.”
In footage captured of the event on the Adams’ family home security camera, you can see the deputy at the side door of the Adams’ home playing with some puppies.
She then starts walking toward the driveway and her vehicle, that’s when Hunter starts heading over. Seconds later, she pulls her gun, fires two shots, and Hunter falls onto the driveway.
The Springfield News-Sun has requested any video the Clark County Sheriff ’s Office may have the shooting but has not yet received anything.
Adams said she hopes deputies do things differently in the future.
“Announce yourself, honk your horn, if you even think somebody has dogs, honk your horn so somebody can come out,” Adams said.
Adams said she will remember Hunter as a loveable, fun dog, but losing him at Christmas time is especially difficult.
“We are burying our dog on Christmas Eve, it’s not right,” Adams said.