WENDOUREE residents are outraged today after the shooting of a pet Bullmastiff dog by police at a house in Willow Grove.
Police said two members attended a Wendouree West property at 8.55am this morning to make inquiries in regards to an investigation.
WARNING: This story contains photos readers may find disturbing
Ballarat North Sergeant Nathan Gardiner said the members went through the front gate and were half way up the Willow Grove driveway when the dog allegedly ran out the front door in a "threatening manner".
"A police member was forced to take protective action and fire one shot," Sergeant Gardiner said.
"The member was fearful of being attacked.
"Police are conducting an investigation into the circumstances in accordance with Victoria police policy and reasonable force provisions."
Sergeant Gardiner said that offers were made to move the dog's body out of sight, but were declined.
A blood stain indicates the dog was halfway down the driveway when it was shot.
The dog's body has been viewed by The Courier and the bullet entered the back of it's neck.
Jessica Williams, who lives across the road, was walking out of her front door to take her young children to school about 8.58 am when the shooting occurred.
"I saw the coppers walk up and the dog hadn't even left the yard," Ms Williams said.
"They didn't say 'put the dog away' or anything. We just heard a bang and then we saw the dog just lying on the ground."
"They didn't say 'put the dog away' or anything.
We just heard a bang"
We just heard a bang"
Owner Caroline Elliott has mental health issues and said she was dependent on six-year-old Bruiser's company.
"I got nothing now, he was everything to me," a teary Ms Elliott said.
"I can't understand, in the whole time he has been here he has never bitten anyone. They shot him in my own driveway."
Renee Fraser, who is the partner of Mrs Elliott's son Craig, said Bruiser was registered and had never been aggressive in the past.
"It's wrong. They just shot him," Ms Fraser said.
Mrs Elliott's daughter Nyleakah said she and her father, who has recently had a heart attack, were left to move Bruiser from the driveway to the front garden and cover him with a blanket to avoid further upset to her mother and children in the house.
"Everyone in this street knows our dog. That's got to say something," Ms Elliott said, pointing to the crowd who had gathered outside their house to mourn Bruiser.
"He was so docile. There was no reason to kill him."
Ms Elliott held grave concerns for her mother's welfare.
"When my mum feels like killing herself, Bruiser isn't going to be there for her."
When police returned to the house, both Ms Fraser and Ms Elliott demanded answers as to why Bruiser had been shot.
When police said Bruiser had attacked a member, Ms Fraser said: "You can protect them but we've got a dead dog."
Ms Elliott said her father had asked police why Bruiser had been shot and was told: "It scared me.""He's never attacked anyone. He'd lick you to death first."Bruiser had to have been turned away to be shot like that and when I felt his body, he wasn't tense at all," Ms Elliott said.
"He growls and barks and that but that's all he would do."
