6:30 A.M. WEDNESDAY UPDATE:
An officer with Hall County Animal Control issued a nuisance citation to the owner of the dog that attacked a sheriff’s officer K9 during a Monday afternoon traffic stop on Athens Highway.
In his report, the animal control officer wrote:
“Arrived on scene and spoke with HCSO K9 deputy to gather more information about the incident. Deputy advised while attending to a traffic stop the canine…appeared from nowhere and charged HCSO officer and his K9 partner.
At that time, officer tried to push loose canine away to no avail at which point officer used a taser to deter canine and his aggressive behavior.
(Animal Control was familiar with the dog because of a previous incident.)
Owner was not home but arrived as incident took place… The two adults in the home at the time were not outside when the incident happened. The canine is known to jump the fence, family advised…
Owner advised he’s looking to surrender the dog (and was informed) of the process and given shelter contact information. Owner attempted to pull the prongs out of canine which resulted in a loud squeal. (Officer) advised owner (to) get the canine to a vet immediately for a checkup and to remove the prongs safely.”
EARLIER STORY. POSTED TUESDAY AFTERNOON:
A Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) K9 was attacked Monday afternoon by another dog during a traffic stop about 1:30 on Athens Street near Half Circle.
“During the stop, one deputy was conducting a free-air sniff with his K9 when another dog in the area approached and attempted to engage the sheriff’s office K9,” sheriff’s office spokesman Derrick Booth wrote in an email.”
Booth said the handler maneuvered his K9 away from the approaching dog. A second deputy ran toward them and deployed his Taser, successfully striking the dog. Despite being struck, the dog continued attempting to bite. The deputy tased the dog a second time, and it ran back to its yard in the 1600 block of Athens Street.
Deputies requested assistance from Hall County Animal Control. Animal control officers responded to the scene and met with the dog’s owner.
No one was injured during the incident.