Manitoba police watchdog to investigate shooting of dog in Swan Lake First Nation

Manitoba’s police watchdog says it is launching an investigation into a report that an officer with the Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) shot and killed a family pet. The incident took place on June 11 in Swan Lake First Nation, located 160 km southwest of Winnipeg. “The civilian director has determined it is in the public interest for the IIU [Independent Investigation Unit] to investigate this matter,” according to a statement released on Thursday. The IIU investigates incidents where members of the public are injured or killed by police in Manitoba. The dog’s owner, Candida Folder, said on social media that a member of the MFNPS fatally shot the dog. A photo array of her dog Duke posted online by Candida Folder of Swan Lake First Nation. Folder told APTN News in an article published on June 19 that Duke, a Rottweiler, was a loving pet and protector. “I was inside with my kids,” Folder told APTN of her three school-age children. “I couldn’t do anything. “I just went to my hallway and cried because I knew what was going to happen as soon as I seen that rifle.” MFNP Insp. Darryl Hunter (Operations) confirmed at the time the dog was killed and said it was done for safety reasons. “When the officer exited the residence, the dog who was chained, lunged at and bit the officer causing an injury. The dog had also bitten another person prior to this incident,” Hunter said in an emailed statement. Folder said 15 minutes after leaving her home, he returned with a rifle and shot the dog. She said hearing the shot was traumatic and the violent death has left her children shaken and afraid. Read More:  Police officer kills family’s dog on First Nation  Hunter said the officer did what he had to do. “Given the very aggressive behavior of the dog and the threat it potentially posed to children and other community members, the decision was made to euthanize the animal on site,” he added in the statement. “Putting an animal down is always regrettable but our officers are faced with weighing all factors that affect public safety. As with all incidents of this nature, a review into the incident will be conducted to ensure that Policies and Procedures were followed.” A spokesperson for the IIU originally told APTN that an investigation into this case wasn’t likely. “It does not appear to meet the requirements under their mandate,” the spokesperson said. It’s not clear why officials with the IIU changed their minds. With files from Kathleen Martens Continue Reading