Dog shot by Department of Corrections officer

A local family is mourning the loss of their pet today. The dog was shot yesterday by a Wilmington probation officer.

Family members want to know why their dog was the target of what probation officers are calling an act of self defense.

Christine Champion was less than a foot away from her dog Nicco, when he was shot and killed Monday afternoon. “I think it might have been the worst experience I ever had to go through, he was like my son,” Champion said.

Probation and parole officers were at Christine’s home for a routine warrant less search of her father’s upstairs apartment. As they approached the home, officials say Nicco was barking and acting aggressive.

According to Department of Corrections Manager Jean Walker, it is protocol to use self defense if an officer feels threatened or unsafe. “When they arrived at the residence, a large pit bull came towards one of the officers, and was acting very aggressive, trying to bite him.”

But Director of Animal Control Jean McNeil said dogs act aggressively when they are protecting their territory. “Dogs don’t know the boundaries of property lines. They are simply protecting the area that is their territory which may not be the boundary lines that we have designated by a driveway or a household.”

But for owners, Christine and Greg, nothing will bring back their beloved dog. “Everybody loved Nicco. I don’t think there was a single person in this world who disliked him.”

Greg Saunders is the other owner of the dog. He said, “Here’s nothing anybody can do that would make me feel better about the situation. It wouldn’t matter if the officer that shot him lost his job, even if someone shot his dog, I wouldn’t feel better. That’s not going to make me feel any better; I wouldn’t wish that on anybody.”

Nicco’s owners want to know why law enforcement does not use a taser or stun gun in situations like this, instead of a fatal weapon.