Cop who stopped to tell owners car door was open shoots dog dead

FLORIDA CITY, Fla. -- An officer making a routine stop at a residence fatally shot a family's dog when it darted outside their Florida home.

Now the family says the officer's actions were unwarranted.

The shooting happened Tuesday when a Florida City officer stopped to tell a family they had left their car door open and unattended, WSVN-TV reports.

Two-year-old Dutchess ran out shortly after Gillian Palacios opened the door to greet the office. That is when the officer pulled out his gun and shot Dutchess three times.

"The dog came out. He drew his gun," said Palacios. "He shot her within seconds, within seconds."

The dog, a rescue mix, never showed any signs of aggression, Palacios said.

Dutchess died from her wounds as Palacios's 18-year-old daughter attempted to save the animal.

"I put my hand under her head," daughter Sage Raphanel said. "I could feel the blood running from my fingers, but there was nothing I could do."

The family says the officer's quick actions could have put her or her children in danger had they ran after the dog.

A Florida City Police spokesperson apologized to the family. The officer who shot the dog was placed on paid administrative leave, standard procedure after any officer discharged their weapon.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.