FROM STAFF REPORTS
Aurora -- A traffic stop on July 5 resulted in a city police officer shooting and killing a dog which charged at him after the animal jumped out of the vehicle's window.
The incident attracted a lot of interest in Northeast Ohio and resulted in dozens of comments being posted on newspaper and social media websites.
After an investigation by the city's police department, Officer Christopher Reiter's actions were determined to be appropriate and no discipline was warranted.
The driver of the vehicle, Thomi West, 53, was cited for two counts of driving under suspension and one count of not driving in marked lanes.
Police said West was involved in a fender-bender accident earlier that day in Bainbridge Township in which Police Chief Seth Riewaldt said there was "minor contact between the cars," then drove to her home in Aurora where she was pulled over by Reiter in her East Garfield Road driveway after Reiter observed her drive left of center.
Riewaldt said the dog was "acting in a very aggressive manner" when Reiter shouted to West to roll up her car windows, but "she was either unable or unwilling to do so," and the dog jumped out of a car window and charged toward Reiter, who fired one shot with a handgun.
The dog was a male Australian shepherd mix and weighed about 50 pounds. Police Lt. Don Johnson reviewed the situation and concluded that Reiter acted appropriately.
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