Staff report

Hastings Police released a statement regarding an officer involved shooting where the officer shot a dog in Hastings. The officer determined the best course of action to save the family members involved was to shoot the dog.

On Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. Hastings Officers responded to a report of a hysterical juvenile caller, stating their family dog was attacking her mother. Officers arrived on scene in the 1300 block of North Frontage Road and the juvenile female was communicating to officers from an upstairs window, still frantic about the dog attack. Officers had to force entry through the front door of the home.

Upon entry into the home officers had no other choice but to shoot the dog in the entryway of the home, most likely saving the homeowner’s life. The dog died on scene from the gun shots. Officers requested two ambulances to the scene as the mother and daughter were both victims of the dog attack. There were no other occupants to the home and both the mother and daughter were transported to Regions Hospital for injuries sustained in the attack. Indications from the early part of the investigation indicate the adult female was the owner of the dog and received multiple injuries from the attack.

The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office crime scene team was requested to process the scene and the deceased dog will be transported to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center for a Necropsy. No officers or neighbors were injured during this incident.

David D. Wilske Chief of Police