Northland Police Shooting: How’s the Dog?

How is the dog? It is the most frequently asked question after the shooting that broke the morning tranquility in Tangowahine of Northland.

It turns out that there is a lot we can tell you.

Northland Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill said the dog was in stable condition with “critical jaw wounds” caused when he was shot during the shooting Tuesday morning.

Veterinarians from the Unitec-based Group of Veterinary Specialists in Mt Albert, Auckland, further evaluated the dog yesterday to determine possible surgeries and recovery.

He then added: “The police cannot release details of the dog’s name for privacy reasons while investigations into the incident are being conducted.”

It may sound strange, but what Hill probably meant was that revealing the dog’s name would reveal the identity of its keeper.

Detective Inspector Graeme Bell, a familiar face of the popular television show Police Ten 7, said the privacy of the officer involved was paramount while various investigations into the shooting were under way.

The standard follow-up procedure for events like Tuesday’s involves a review of policies, practices and procedures, an investigation of critical incidents and an investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

By keeping silent about the dog’s name, police were protecting the investigations, the officer involved and the families of those affected by the shooting, Bell said.

“No police officer wants to shoot anyone. No police officer wants to hurt anyone. It goes against everything they are trying to achieve, but sometimes they have no other choice.”

Hill said there was widespread support for the police dog.

“The police would like to acknowledge the messages of support received during the night from the community regarding the welfare of the police dog that was shot.”

The man who was shot three times by police during the incident remained stable at Auckland City Hospital. No charges had yet been filed.