A North Carolina family is devastated after a Raleigh police officer fatally shot their beloved dog on Christmas Eve.
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The incident occurred during an investigation into a stolen car, and Lt. Jason Borneo described the dog, Maxi, as an “aggressive dog” who charged at the officer, prompting him to pull out his weapon. Maxi died at the scene after being struck in the head. Maxi’s owner, 21-year-old Lisbeth Negrete, and her family enjoyed dinner when they heard gunshots. Rushing outside, they found Maxi lifeless in the front yard.
According to the Daily Mail, Negrete described Maxi as a playful dog often left off-leashed in the yard and said he was being friendly. “I see the officer’s point of view, but they’re trained to deal with people. They should also be trained to deal with dogs.” The family’s security camera also captured the incident but some glitches left gaps in the footage.
The RPD is conducting an internal investigation, and the officer involved could face possible disciplinary action. Borneo confirmed that the department works with the Negrete family during this difficult time.