OWNER LOSES PLEA FOR DOG'S LIFE

Animal killed in SWAT drug swoop

A 20-year-old Victoria woman tried in vain to save her dog before it was
shot by police in a drug raid Friday.

Rachel Cogman said she was jogging down Hillside Avenue with Asia, one of
her two dogs, about 8 p.m. Friday when she was arrested by undercover
police officers.

When Asia started to bark, Cogman said police told her to contain the dog,
which was on a leash, or they would shoot it.

Cogman was put in the back of the car with her dog and taken to police
headquarters. When she learned that police were executing a search warrant
on a house in the 1200-block of Hillside, she told the police there were
dogs in the house including her pit bull Cain.

"I said he's a friendly dog. The only reason he would bark is if you were
causing a scene. I said dogs have a right to protect their house, if
someone's breaking in. They have a right to be there."

Cogman said she asked police to take the dog outside and tie him up during
the raid. She also asked if she could go in and get him before the raid
took place.

"The cop just told me to shut up. I was freaking out and crying, 'Please
don't shoot my dog.'"

Sgt. Darrell McLean confirmed the Emergency Response Team in conjunction
with the Victoria police department carried out a search warrant on the
Hillside residence Friday night at 9:40 p.m.

"There were dogs in the residence which included pit bulls," said McLean.
"As a result of the aggressive nature of that particular breed and for the
safety of those involved in the incident, one of the dogs had to be
neutralized."

Cogman said a friend who was at the house at the time told her police broke
down the front door with a battering ram and entered the house wearing face
masks and carrying cans of mace, yelling and screaming with their guns
drawn.

"It's not out the ordinary," said McLean. "Police get in as quickly as
they can to capitalize on their quick entry. The team leader would decide
how the entry would be done and what equipment, including guns, would be
used to make it as safe as possible."

Cogman said the people who live downstairs told her they heard the dog bark
twice. Then they heard a shot. She was also told the police shot the dog in
front of a 10-year-old boy.

When police searched the residence, they recovered drugs and stolen property.

Three people were arrested. Two women and a man face a variety of charges.
The investigation is continuing and more charges may be forthcoming, said
McLean.

According to the police officer, the initial report on the incident does
not have any details on how the dog behaved. He said the pit bull breed is
aggressive by nature and tends to guard its residence.

Members of the Emergency Response Team are trained professionals, said McLean.

"If there is a risk posed, they will assess it and deal with it in an
appropriate fashion."

A more conclusive report regarding the shooting will be completed this
week, said McLean.