Family Dog Euthanized After Officers Mistook It For A Coyote: FPD

FAIRFIELD, CT — A Fairfield animal control officer is on administrative leave and a family dog is dead after officials mistook the animal for a coyote and euthanized it earlier this week, according to law enforcement.

Police and animal control officers responded about 9 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a report of a distressed baby coyote on the porch of a Lawrence Road home amid bad weather, according to Lt. Antonio Granata.

Animal control contacted state officials, but were told there were no rehabilitation facilities equipped to help the animal, according to police, who said the animal appeared to be suffering from prolonged exposure to the elements.

“The animal was subsequently brought to our local animal shelter to be humanely euthanized following the department's procedural standards,” Chief Christopher Lyddy said in a prepared statement.

Department policy regarding severely ill or injured animals for whom there is no other humane recourse is for officers to euthanize the animal using a service weapon.

Officials later learned the animal was not a young coyote, but rather a small dog, according to police. Granata confirmed the dog was Kitsu, a 13-year-old Shiba Inu that weighed 15 pounds.

“The department has met in person with the family and offered its sincere and deepest condolences and apologies for the family's loss,” Lyddy said.

Detectives are investigating the incident and a part-time animal control officer has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation’s results. The police department, which oversees animal control, is reviewing its internal procedures to prevent a similar situation in the future.

First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick urged patience during the investigation.

"This is a tragic and heartbreaking situation, and as a dog lover, my heart goes out to this family,” she said in a prepared statement. “I know emotions are high, but I am asking our community to please allow time for the police to investigate the full circumstances of what transpired."