A Garden City police officer shot and killed a dog he was training at his home Friday evening after the dog attacked the officer and a Boise police officer, Garden City police report.
The 2-year-old male Belgian Malinois was not a police dog but had been purchased by the Garden City sergeant for a personal business he operates to raise, train and sell dogs for public safety agencies, Police Chief Jim Bensley said.
The two officers, both canine handlers, were training the dog about 6:15 p.m. Friday when the dog attacked both men and "eventually had to be shot to stop his aggression," Bensley said. The dog died at the scene, the Garden City officer's home near State Street and Idaho 55.
Both officers, who were off duty at the time of the incident, suffered bite wounds and were treated and released from Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center.
Bensley would not release the names of the officers or additional details, citing an ongoing investigation. Idaho State Police are investigating the incident, and Garden City police will conduct an internal review to determine whether the Garden City officer followed state, city and department policies when he shot the dog.
The Boise officer did not fire his weapon, Bensley said.
Malinois, similar in appearance to German shepherds, are frequently used in law enforcement.
On June 29, a 4-year-old Malinois apprehension dog for the Ada County Sheriff's Office escaped from its handler's yard and attacked a 13-year-old riding his bike in a Meridian neighborhood. The boy suffered multiple wounds and required stitches. The dog was taken off the force and its handler faced disciplinary action.
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