Owners of dog shot by police call for answers

The owners of a dog shot dead by police in are calling for answers, claiming their pet wasn't usually violent and had only been trying to protect them.

The officer who was attacked by the animal is recovering at home.

To his owner, Cujo was more than a pet, he was family.

The six-year-old staffy-labrador cross was killed by police after turning violent yesterday afternoon in Canning Vale in Perth's south.

“I was just intensely scared about it,” neighbour Corazon Floras said.

Officers arrived at the Jilakin Loop home about 4pm following reports of a disturbance.

A 23-year-old man was arrested when Cujo pounced, smashing through a window and attacking the officer.

It's understood the dog was initially Tasered, but when that didn't work the officer opened fire.

Neighbour Norma Taylor said she heard two gunshots.

“Instantly I thought what's going on, you know, it's very close but this is usually a very, very quiet street,” she said.

The male officer suffered cuts to his face and ear and was rushed to Fiona Stanley Hospital.

Cujo's owners claim he had only been trying to protect them and say he wasn't a violent animal, spending much of his life around children.

“That really has obviously upset him deeply along with the other officers that are here, so a number of the people are traumatised from the incident,” Inspector Vic Hussey said.

Cujo's owners are trying to come to terms with their loss as an investigation continues.