Owner questions police shooting of pit bull

AUBURN, Wash. -- Lee Hill on Auburn's east side has a rough reputation. But on the cul-de-sac in the 3600 block of 119th PL SE, children have the run of the park, and neighbors look out for each other.

So when they heard multiple gunshots on February 15 they panicked.

"Next thing we know six shots go off and she's like 'James, James! Get the kids down get the kids down!'" said James Robinson who lives on the street.

Rose Clark had no idea her pit bull King was loose, or that his gate was left open.

"It was 'boom, boom, boom, boom!' Everybody in this neighborhood heard it, there was no hesitation," she said of the shooting that killed King.

She didn't know King had been in a fight with Saddy, a Shih-Tzu from one street over, or that he bit Saddy's owner when he tried to break up the dog fight. She also didn't know that the police had been called.

She didn't know anything until she saw King's body slumped up against a parked car, just 20 feet from her home.

"I don't understand shooting him seven times when one shot would have taken him down, and cornering him like that," Clark said through tears.

Auburn police officials said an officer spotted King, confirmed his identity with a witness, and then partially cornered the dog between his cruiser and a parked car.

The officer fired seven shots from inside his patrol car because he felt threatened, officials said.

Auburn police Commander Mike Hirman said the dog was growling at the officer.

"We certainly didn't want to allow the dog to harm any other citizens or other pets. It was the only option at the time," Hirman said.

Clark said she understands the officer thought he was doing the right thing, but insists the multiple shots were unnecessary.

"Seven shots? Seven shots? When one would have taken him down."

Hirman said the department understands it is an emotional situation but doesn't see "that there was any other choice."

In Auburn, pit bulls like King are considered "potentially dangerous dogs" and have to be registered and restrained.

Police officials said neither were done in this case. The prosecutor will determine if any charges should be filed.

"I miss him," Clark said. "He was a good dog."