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WILKES-BARRE — The shooting death of a dog at Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge earlier this year was not a criminal action, according to the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office on Thursday.
The shooting death of Chico, a boxer mix, at the animal refuge made headlines in August. The dog was shot by a wildlife conservation officer after Chico attacked a volunteer at the no-kill facility.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Chico’s former owner first attempted to drop him off at the SPCA in May, seeking to surrender him. Humane officers later learned Chico had a history of aggressive behavior, and told the owner the dog might be euthanized if left with the SPCA, recommending instead that the dog be taken to Blue Chip.
On Aug. 18, a senior volunteer took Chico for exercise, when he suddenly attacked her, latching onto her right arm. A passing employee and the aforementioned wildlife conservation officer were able to free the dog from the woman’s arm. The woman needed 200 stitches after the attack.
The release goes on to say the dog was in an unsecure horse pen where it “could easily escape and continued to act aggressively.” At this point, the dog would now be classified as a dangerous dog under state Dog Law as it had at this point inflicted serious injuries without provocation.
The officer euthanized the dog, which was still acting aggressively, “with a single gunshot within the guidelines of the euthanasia of animals.”
Based on this, the District Attorney’s Office agrees with a previous recommendation from the SPCA, saying that “criminal charges are not supported and the WCO is cleared of any wrongdoing.”