Community Corner

Police Shoot Aggressive Dog in Norristown: Your Thoughts

An officer was forced to put the animal down when it moved toward him aggressively.

A little more than a year ago, Royersford residents were shocked to hear a local woman allegedly at an "aggressive dog" in a residential area. However, the owner of that dog had a to tell, citing neighbors' reports to police. Those reports from witnesses, according to the dog owner, indicated his dog never showed signs of aggression to the woman or her dog.

Both sides of the story had mixed reactions. Firing gunshots at a dog is a touchy subject... But, then again, so is the subject of aggressive dogs.

More recently, we heard about a 4-year-old boy's in Linfield last Friday. This time, a dog allegedly "lunged" at the boy, who was riding his bicylce. According to reports, the dog bit the boy, who sustained wounds to his arms and legs.

Find out what's happening in Limerick-Royersford-Spring Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Norristown Patch recently published a story about an aggressive dog. In this case, police were "forced" to put the dog down via gunshot.

Please leave your thoughts in the comments below

Find out what's happening in Limerick-Royersford-Spring Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Here is the story:

According to reports from the Norrisotwn Police Department, officers were called to the area of Fornance and Juniper streets on Wednesday, May 9, shortly after 2:30 p.m. for a report of an aggressive dog attacking people in the area.

Once on the scene, officers observed a large black dog jumping on blue car in an apparent attempt to get at a man and three women inside. A fourth man outside the vehicle was attempting to keep the animal at bay by kicking it. The dog eventually retreated back towards a yard later identified as the property of its owner.

As the dog retreated, it caught site of a responding officer and advanced in his direction in an aggresive manner. The officer drew his service weapon, aimed at the animal and gave a loud verbal command to the dog's owner, later identified as 48-year-old John Clark Daywalt, of the 1300 block of Markley Street, to control his animal. Police say Daywalt identified himself as the owner and told officers to "go ahead and shoot it." The dog continued toward the officer who then reportedly fired one round. striking the dog in the left chest. The dog immediately retreated towards the yard where it collapsed.

Daywalt ellegedly became extremely agitated, yelling and swearing at officers and bystanders. He then retreated into his home. An officer retrieved Daywalt from the house to get his information, but he reportedly continued act belligerent, refusing to obey officers commands to stay seated. Officers say Daywalt had an odor of alcoholic beverage on his person, had an unsteady gait and was unable to stand without swaying. Police took Daywalt into custody and transported him to the station.

Police learned form witnesses that two area residents had been walking their dog in the area when Daywalt's dog attacked them, seemingly trying to get at their dog. Witnesses told police that Daywalt appeared and retrieved his dog, but threatened to release the animal if the two women called the police. It was at this time the women and another female bystander got in another neighbor's vehicle to escape the situation. Police arrived on the scene shortly after.

The dog's body was taken to the station for storage until it could be examined for possible disease. Daywalt was charged with public drunkenness, disorderly conduct, and allowing his dog to run at large.


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