Dog Shot, Tased By Prince George's Police: Officials

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Police officers on Wednesday shot and tased a dog near Hyattsville, officials alleged. The Prince George's County Police Department explained that it suspended two of the accused officers and placed a third on administrative leave.

The encounter started around 7:30 p.m. when officers said they heard word of a potential dog bite in the 6900 block of Allison Street. The victim told police that two large dogs bit her, an incident report advised.

Two officers tried to find the suspected dogs while the victim waited for medics to arrive and take her to an unnamed hospital, the write-up continued. The duo knocked on the door of the apartment where the dogs were said to live, the press release mentioned, but nobody answered. Police indicated that they then got a key from an apartment complex employee.

The department wrote that the two officers announced themselves and entered the home to search for the dogs. A third officer followed, the agency noted.

The group added that it immediately found residents inside the apartment. A dog approached police soon after in the kitchen, the report detailed.

The write-up stated that two of the officers shot the dog, and a third tased the animal. The dog was critically injured and has since been euthanized, the release clarified.

The department announced that it is investigating the three unidentified accused officers, all of whom are assigned to the Bureau of Patrol. Police reported that they consulted the office of Prince George's County State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy during the inquiry.

“I assure all officers and members of the community that this incident will be thoroughly investigated,” Acting Police Chief Malik Aziz said in the release.

Retirements And Hires

Interim Chief Hector Velez retired on May 7. County Executive Angela Alsobrooks broke the news on April 23 when she announced that police Lt. Edward Finn was arrested in a separate case.

The most recent investigation came weeks after Aziz, took over on May 9. Aziz is a reform-minded official and a former deputy chief from the Dallas Police Department in Texas.

"I share the disappointment and anger of many in our community regarding yet another negative incident within our Department," Alsobrooks said in a press release after Finn's arrest. "Unfortunately, the issues that we are confronting are systemic issues that did not start under my Administration, but I am going to do everything in my power to ensure that they end under my watch."

Controversies

Aziz took over a squad that has seen several controversies over the past 16 months. Former Chief Hank Stawinski resigned in June 2020 after several Black and Brown officers filed a lawsuit against the department. Their suit alleged that the agency had for years discriminated against officers from racial minorities.

That litigation came months after police accused an officer of fatally shooting a man in handcuffs. The killing eventually led to the indictment of Cpl. Michael Owen and a $20 million settlement with the family of the victim, William Howard Green.

Within the last year, officers have also faced charges of

• Assaulting a teenager
• Evading taxes
• Sexually abusing a minor
• Attempting rape
• Sharing confidential information with a sex worker

"I want to thank the many men and women of our Police Department who honorably serve our community each day," Alsobrooks continued. "The actions of officers like Lieutenant Finn do not reflect their desire to serve our residents and continue working hard to build trust between our Department and the community."

Police Reform

Alsobrooks hired Aziz about two months after she adopted sweeping police reform. The new policies will make more police records public, increase officer oversight and emphasize community engagement.

The county executive's overhaul started in July of 2020, when she created the Police Reform Work Group. The task force responded to protesters calling for social justice after George Floyd, a Black man, died while a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck last May.

By December, the reform committee recommended 50 modifications to the police department. Alsobrooks adopted 35 as written, amended 11 and struck four.

"We have the fresh start we need to continue moving forward with making our Department a model for the nation," Alsobrooks concluded.

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