Police officer who shot dog acted within policy

An internal affairs investigation into the shooting of a dog by a Chillicothe police officer on March 8 has been deemed within policy.

According to Chillicothe police chief Keith Washburn, the officer, identified as Traevon Williams, didn't receive any formal disciplinary action, since the internal affairs committee determined there was no violation of policy.

The investigation was launched earlier this month after an officer shot a dog when returning to a home on North Sugar Street during a follow-up investigation. Washburn said a child opened the door of the home and a large pit bull charged at one of the officers, growling. The officer retreated, he said, and when the dog continued to charge at him, the officer fired two shots at the dog.

The dog sustained minor injuries and the officer was uninjured.Washburn said the department's use of force policy states officers "can shoot at a vicious dog if there's risk of serious harm or death to an officer or a bystander."

"In this case, the officer felt the pit bull charging him (could potentially cause) imminent physical harm, so he shot at it,"

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