Off-Duty Cop Shoots Neighbor's Dog

By Amy Perry in News on Jan 13, 2010 6:40PM

An Edison Park family had their family dog shot by an off-duty police officer when it escaped from the family’s backyard in the 7200 block of West Palatine Avenue. The female police officer lives across the street and was out walking her own dog and claims the German shepherd attacked her dog and then growled and lunged at her, prompting her to shoot it. Laura Bravo, 42, and her three kids ages, 14, 12 and 11, heard the gunshot and ran outside to find their dog, Malachi, laying in a bloody heap. On top of losing her dog, Bravo received a $500 fine for failing to have a dog license for Malachi.

The family lets the dog out in the gated yard every day but Bravo believes Malachi escaped because the gate lock froze and didn't close properly. Bravo told the Sun-Times that Malachi, a 125-pound smaller German shepherd, and her other dog aren’t aggressive and often play with neighborhood children. She expressed hope the police department will suspend the officer for using her weapon unnecessarily and potentially jeopardizing neighbors with the gunfire. The Independent Police Review Authority, which reviews officers discharging weapons, is investigating.