The West Australian police commissioner has stood by the police officer who shot and killed a pet dog after reviewing bodycam footage of the incident.
Police were called to a home in Canning Vale in Perth on Saturday afternoon regarding an alleged disturbance.
A man, 23, was placed under arrest before Cujo, a six-year-old staffy Labrador cross smashed through a window during the commotion.
The dog attacked a police officer, who bled profusely from cuts on his face and a bitten ear before he was rushed to hospital.
‘While officers were attempting to affect an arrest, a dog at the residence approached and attacked a male police officer,' West Australian police confirmed.
Police attempted to Taser the dog but were forced to open fire after taser didn't work.
The dog's owners have demanded answers, saying Cujo was a friendly animal which spent most of its life around kids.
However Commissioner Blanch has since expressed his support for the officer who opened fire.
Witnesses say they heard two shots as Cujo, a staffy-labrador, was shot and killed by police
Cujo smashed through a home window and attacked an officer arresting a 23-year-old man
‘I know this hits the community hard when they see police take action like this,' Commissioner Blanch told local radio station 6PR on Tuesday.
‘I've watched the body-worn video of the officer and I have spoken to the officer.
‘Sadly, my observation is, and there will be an independent investigation into the discharge of a firearm, I don't think he had another choice.
‘Multiple Tasers were deployed, the dog had attacked the police officer, had bit his ear, he was bleeding profusely from the ear.
‘The dog continued to move rapidly towards the officer and despite two Taser deployments, he used his service weapon,' he said.
Commissioner Blanch said the officer was at home recovering from the incident, distraught and ‘playing (it) over and over in his mind'.
He accepted the dog owner's claim that the dog wasn't a violent-natured animal, but said Cujo was a danger in that moment regardless.
‘They are doing what is instinctive to them, but, they also pose a significant threat to the safety and life of others while they're in that mode,' Commissioner Blanch said.
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said his officer was playing the episode over in his mind
Police inquiries into the incident remain ongoing.
The man arrested during the incident was charged with one count of assault public officer, and one count obstructing public officers.
He will appear in Armadale Magistrates Court on Friday.
