PROVO, Utah. (ABC 4 News)- A police officer shot not a person, but a pit bull during a drug bust, Monday afternoon.
Around 1:30 p.m. Provo police investigators served a drug-bust warrant on a home at 996 East Cedar Avenue.
When suspect David Hayes opened his front door after several knocks to find police, he slammed the door in a panic on the entry-team.
The entry-team forced the door open, but before they could enter, Hayes’ pit bull rushed the team from inside the home. The pit bull attacked one of the officers on the porch.
Fearing for his safety, the officer backed up to create a barrier between himself and the violent dog. Losing his balance, the officer fell backwards, at the same time accidently shooting one round at the dog.
The pit bull was shot in the upper left shoulder, and immediately ran away from the scene.
Later, the dog was found about three blocks away and animal control officers took the dog to a local animal shelter for treatment.
The officer who shot the dog suffered minor scrapes and bruises, but is otherwise fine.
Hayes was booked into the Utah County Jail for multiple charges including: possession of a weapon by a restricted person, resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia, distribution of marijuana and possession of spice.
