Suspect in custody after dog shot, 3 Chicago police officers bitten in West Garfield Park: CPD

Witness says officer shot dog even through it wasn't being aggressive

ByMichelle Gallardo and ABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Sunday, September 10, 2023
1 in custody after dog shot, 3 officers bitten on West Side: CPD
A woman is in custody after a dog attack and Chicago police shooting in the 4000 block of West Wilcox Street in West Garfield Park, CPD said.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- One person is in custody after a dog was shot and three Chicago police officers were bitten on Sunday morning, CPD said.

Police said it happened in the West Garfield Park neighborhood just after 11:20 a.m. Officers were conducting an investigation in the 4000 block of West Wilcox Street when a female offender, whose age was not immediately known, tried to intervene.

That's when an unknown person unleashed two dogs, police said. Three officers suffered dog bites, and one officer opened fire, striking one of the dogs.

A very different story is being told by those who live on the block. A woman who lives next door to the dogs' owner said police, who had just detained one of her sons, walked through the neighbors' property when he and the dogs came outside to see what was happening.

"When the dogs came outside, the police got aggressive. 'Get the dogs, get the dogs.' They are are grabbing the dogs. There are two dogs there. They are all grabbing the dogs. The dogs never got aggressive with these officers," said witness Brenda Cunningham. "The dog did not one time went after the officer to bite him or anything like that, ma'am. No, he did not. That officer just pulled out his gun and shot twice."

The shooting took place in the alley behind the dog owner's home. His neighbor said the dog was shot in the face, and was taken to animal care and control, but it's not clear what his condition is.

The Chicago Fire Department said the three officers were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital. CFD originally said the officers were in serious condition, but police later clarified that they are in good condition.

CPD said one woman is in custody, and charges are pending. It's not clear what role police believe she played in the incident.

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