Denver Cops Shoot Family Pet

A family whose dog got loose and was shot to death by a Denver police officer is planning to go around its neighborhood today to raise awareness about what can happen if pets get loose — and raise cash for a possible lawsuit against the city.

On Monday, Rocky, a 3-year-old male yellow labrador retriever, was killed by an officer, after he was reported as a vicious dog, even though he had not hurt anyone.

"I think the cops got careless," said Rocky's owner, Joe Drayer, 26. "They mishandled it. I think the Denver cops' slogan is: Shoot first, ask questions later. He's not a vicious dog."

Shortly before 4 p.m. Monday, Denver police and animal control were notified about a vicious dog in the area near West 40th Avenue and Navajo Street.

"When our officer arrived on scene, he was flagged down by a citizen who related to him there was a vicious dog in the area and gave a description and direction in which the dog ran off in," said Sharon Hahn, spokeswoman for Denver police.

"When the officer found the dog and went to approach the dog, he turned on the officer, and the officer felt his life was threatened, so he shot the dog," said Hahn.

The Rocky Mountain News