Staff Writer

 The owner of a dog shot last week by police said her 2-year-old pit bull never bit a patrol officer.

Deputy Police Chief JoAnne Fisk said Officer Jason Pelletier responded to 40 Pool St. at 11:13 a.m. July 15 for a complaint concerning a domestic violence violation of bail conditions. When Pelletier exited his patrol car, an average-sized pit bull charged at him in an aggressive manner, she said.

Police said the dog was “snarling and growling” at Pelletier as he tried to begin his investigation. The dog was running at large, according to police.

The dog then lunged at and bit Pelletier in the upper thigh, Fisk said. He shot the dog after it continued to lunge at him and tried to bite him a second time.

Fisk said the dog was transported to a local veterinarian but died from its injuries. Pelletier was not seriously injured and returned to work the same day.

Mary Rowe, who received Gracie Jean as a birthday gift two years ago, said the police officer was not bitten by her dog and should not have shot her.

“My dog did not bite him. He wasn’t even near her,” she said.

Rowe said police were called to her house because of an issue between her nephew and his girlfriend. When the nephew realized police were on the way, he ran out the door and tried to jump a fence, she said. Gracie ran out the door after the nephew and Rowe said she was trying to get her dog back inside when the officer arrived.

Rowe said she was standing close enough to Gracie when she was shot to be sprayed with blood. She said Gracie was about a car length away from the officer and standing still when she was shot.

“There was not a word spoken. He just drew his weapon and shot. She did not go after him twice,” Rowe said.

After the dog collapsed in a puddle of blood, Rowe said she was “freaking out” and was told by Pelletier she would be arrested for disorderly conduct if she didn’t calm down.

Rowe said she is disturbed that her 12-year-old daughter witnessed the shooting. Since Friday, the girl has had nightmares and struggles with her emotions, she said. The experience was “extremely traumatizing” for the whole family, she said.

 “I’m very angry, very hurt,” she said. “To me, it’s almost like losing a child. I wouldn’t want anybody to go through that pain.”

Rowe said Gracie was a well-mannered dog that never showed aggression toward people or animals in their home. She often dressed Gracie in a hooded sweatshirt or costumes for holidays.

“My dog was not a dog to me. She was one of my children,” she said. “She was very much a doll and all the children loved her.”

Rowe said her 50-pound dog was euthanized by a local veterinarian and will be cremated. 

Rowe said she feels if Gracie had been a different breed of dog she would not have been shot. Pit bulls have a bad rap and the officer may have been quick to react because of that, she said.

“I think he could have reacted differently,” she said.

Rowe said police told her she could not  file a complaint. She said she has consulted an attorney regarding the incident.

Police had been called to the apartment building three times previously about the dog, according to dispatch records. Animal Control Officer Garth Russell on March 2 spoke to Rowe about her dog getting loose and chasing people. He issued her a warning for allowing her dog to run at large.

The landlord of a neighboring building on July 11 called police to report tenant complaints that the pit bull ran loose and defecated in the driveway. The landlord told police his tenants were scared the dog would come after them, according to dispatch records.

Russell responded to the building July 13 and issued an animal trespass warning to the Rowe, according to dispatch records.