YORK, Pa. (WHTM) — A York City Police officer shot two dogs that were attacking him, while police were at a home investigating an incident on Sunday morning.

In a Monday statement, York City Police Commissioner Michael Muldrow said that “his heart goes out to everyone involved in the incident.”

“As a pet owner the incident is heartbreaking. I too cherish my dog, view them as part of the family and would be greatly upset at the loss. It should never be an officers goal to take a life (people or pets). So, please know I don’t take the feelings of this family lightly. With that said, after reading the social media account, the reports, and (most importantly) watching the body camera video from officers on scene (specifically the Officer  who had been at the front of the house engaging with the young ladies, and the Officer who had been at the rear and shot the dogs.”

Muldrow laid out what led up to the shooting at a home on Jessop Place:

Two suspects from an alleged assault where someone was pistol-whipped were in the house and a perimeter was established, according to police. The homeowner met police at the door and allowed them inside after originally telling them they needed a search warrant.

As they were getting ready to enter, police were warned about dogs who “weren’t going to like seeing officers,” police said. The dogs were then put on the back deck, where the homeowner was overheard telling them to “get down,” police said.

An officer who was positioned in the backyard saw the dogs “charging towards him,” leading him to fire his weapon multiple times, hitting both dogs, police said. One dog then fell and the other one ran off, but was later found and returned to the family.

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The officer had acknowledged that he was “bitten.” He was taken to the hospital for treatment of “three dog bites to his right leg from one or both dogs,” police said. It was noted that one bite punctured a leather wallet in the officer’s pocket.

“With that said, whole  I’m sorry the dogs were harmed, I’m glad the Officer is safe; and I’ll be following up with the family, the Officers involved, my Department team, and City Administration to see if there’s anything else we can do to help them or support that child through the traumatic experience,” Muldrow’s statement reads.

It is lawful for an officer to use force against “threatening animals,” which Muldrow said was needed in this incident.

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