Phillip Randolph Cooke III
Newport News, Va. - An aggressive pit bull was shot by a Newport News Police officer Friday morning.
The officer was responding to a call of a person passed out in a vehicle on Lois Lane. The officer spotted the black pit bull in the area when they arrived on scene.
The dog reportedly nipped a neighbor before jumping onto the officer's police unit.
Medics arrived on scene a short time later and the officer left the police vehicle in an attempt to notify the medics about the dog. That's when the dog reportedly aggressively charged at the officer.
She then fired one shot at the dog.
According to Brandon Maynard with the Newport News Police Department, the dog was shot in the mouth.
Animal Control officers responded and took the pit bull to an area vet where it is currently being evaluated. It is expected to recover.
The Newport News Police Department is conducting an investigation to determine whether the officer violated any policies. The officer did have her body camera on and the footage is being reviewed by internal affairs.
The dog is currently being held at the Peninsula Emergency Veterinary Clinic at 1120 George Washington Memorial Highway.
The man passed out in the car, 50-year-old Phillip Randolph Cooke III, was arrested for public intoxication.
