Las Cruces Police officer shoots, kills dog that allegedly was aggressive

Las Cruces Police are investigating an incident that led to an officer shooting a dog that later died.

Officers were sent to the 1000 block of Larry Drive shortly before 11 a.m. Monday regarding the report of a vicious dog – possibly a terrier mix.

Police say that officers learned that the dog apparently bit or attacked a 79-year-old man who lives near the owners of the dog. The man did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

Officer arrived on the scene and tried to exit his patrol unit when the dog approached aggressively, pinning the officer against his unit, according to police officials.

The officer fired at least one round which struck the dog.

An Animal Control officer took the dog to a local veterinarian where the dog was pronounced dead.

Investigators are also looking into the possibility that the dog may have attacked someone else earlier in the day.

The Officer-involved Incident Task Force includes investigators from New Mexico State Police, the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State University Police and the Las Cruces Police Department.